At the beginning of November, the 2026 Grammy Awards announced their list of nominees. Among them, Rosé (a member of Blackpink) received three nominations for her нιт “APT.” in collaboration with Bruno Mars, including Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
Rosé became the first K-pop solo artist and the first female K-pop artist ever to be nominated for a Grammy. “APT.” is also the most nominated K-pop song in Grammy history.
“APT.” was released in October 2024 as part of Rosé’s solo album “Rosie.” One year after its release, the song has achieved remarkable milestones such as becoming the highest-charting song by a female K-pop artist on the Billboard Hot 100 (No. 3), the longest-charting song by a K-pop artist in the chart’s history, as well as reaching 2 billion streams on Spotify and 2 billion views on YouTube faster than any K-pop release.
While the recognition for Rosé and “APT.” is undeniable, one recent comment from the singer regarding her Grammy nominations has sparked a mαѕѕive wave of controversy and criticism. In particular, ARMYs have expressed dissatisfaction, claiming that she failed to respect BTS’s previous achievements.
Specifically, in an interview with Billboard News shared on December 10, Rosé stated: “History of first кσяєαn K-pop artist. That means a lot to me because I don't think I ever saw on television somebody that looks like me… Never in a million years would I have thought that this would happen, to be nominated for a Grammy.”
She continued, saying: “Most importantly, I feel like the song that is being celebrated and being nominated for the Grammy contains so much of my culture in it. That proves to myself so much. It proves to me also that culture is loved. Different cultures are being accepted.”
The most controversial part of Rosé’s statement was her referring to herself as “History of first кσяєαn K-pop artist” and “somebody that looks like me never in a million years.” Some netizens pointed out that if we talk about the first K-pop artists to be nominated for a Grammy, that title should go to BTS, who achieved this milestone in 2021 — four years before her.
BTS received their first Grammy nomination in 2021 for “Dynamite” in the category Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. They were later nominated again in the following years: in 2022 with “Butter,” and in 2023 with “Yet To Come.” If we also count the collaboration “My Universe” with Coldplay, BTS have earned a total of five Grammy nominations.
Meanwhile, ARMYs expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that Rosé was downplaying BTS’s achievements as the group who paved the way for K-pop artists — including herself — to reach their first Grammy nominations. Fans also disliked what they viewed as a lack of humility, even accusing her of overestimating her success, especially considering that “APT.” is a collaborative track with Bruno Mars. Others also pointed out that the nomination belongs to both artists but her comment about “my culture in it” sounded as if the song belonged to her alone.
Rosé’s interview segment has continued to spark heated controversy across social media. Recorded comments include:
- "I don't think I ever saw on television somebody that looks like me in a million years." How about BTS with Butter on the stage of Grammys 2022 with their peers in the au∂ιєnce giving them a standing ovation?
- "I don't think I saw anyone like me in a million years" or whatever she said. I agree babe cuz you be sniffin some mars material tbh. Like. What are you even on?? Haha. Lord wake her up.
- First kpop artist? You think BTS are ιи∂ιαn then? Haha. Jump all you want, it's all temporary. I'd not be so confident if BTS wasn't as hardworking and as talented, but since they are, I bet my *ss, 2026 will make EVRYTHING clear. Let's see who's the FIRST KPOP ARTIST then.
- how can you talk about being proud of your culture being recognized and at the same time discredit your peers? this is so shameless and disrespectful
- I understand that ∂яυgs make her hallucinate so much but, girl, you’re not the first кσяєαn Kpop artist to be nominated
- This girl need to come back to reality, bc baby you not this breakthrough star u think you are, it’s embarrαѕѕing look at the stats lol, everything u came out with flopped. Bruno saved her now she is getting a big head
- She’s got some nerve disrespecting BTS when literally no one would know her without Bruno Mars. The Grammy wouldn’t bother noticing her and Atlantic wouldn’t be giving her endless mαѕѕive payola without him either.
- Stop spreading misinformation that won’t make Rosé successful without Bruno
- Don’t pull the jealous card bc everyone can see Bruno n Atlantic’s impact. We all know she’s nothing wo their charity n Atlantic are using her as a kpop puppet against BTS n they couldn’t find a better way than a collab w Bruno bc they know she would’ve never made it on her own
- Even if you want to pretend you're the first, you NEVER will be because 7 men did it YEARS before you. "I've never seen anyone like me on TV"—don't play dumb
- This girl's arrogance in stealing a record and having the disrespect to say she's never seen a K-act at the awards is disgusting! Especially when you got there at the expense of a pop artist.
