K-pop Artists Indirectly Nominated for 2025 Grammy Awards, Excluding Lisa and BTS

The 2025 Grammy Nominations: A Night of Surprises and Disappointments

On November 8th, the music industry held its breath as the nominations for the 2025 Grammy Awards were officially unveiled. Recognized globally as the pinnacle of musical achievement, a Grammy nomination can significantly elevate an artist’s profile and validation within the industry. Consequently, fans and stakeholders alike tune in with great anticipation each year, eager to see which artists and albums will capture the Academy’s esteemed recognition.

Pop Dominance and K-Pop’s Exclusion

The current Grammy landscape appears to be heavily influenced by pop sensations. We are witnessing significant comebacks from superstars such as Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, and Sabrina Carpenter, effectively shaping this year’s race. However, the absence of K-pop artists from the nominations has raised eyebrows, especially given the notable entries from names like BTS, LE SSERAFIM, TWICE, Stray Kids, and BLACKPINK’s Lisa. Despite her remarkable submissions in six categories with hits like “ROCKSTAR”and “New Woman,”no K-pop acts made the final nomination list.

Community Backlash and Critical Perspectives

The fallout from this year’s nominations has sparked significant discussion across social media platforms. Some critics argue that the lack of recognition for K-pop artists is expected, noting that even mainstream figures like Ariana Grande received limited acknowledgment, failing to secure nominations in the prestigious Big 4 categories. Conversely, K-pop supporters contend that this oversight reflects a broader bias against Asian artists within the Grammy framework, leading to feelings of disenfranchisement among fans and performers alike. Nevertheless, the nominations stand firm as finalized.

Indirect Recognition for K-Pop Artists

In an unexpected twist, some K-pop artists found themselves acknowledged through collaborations featured in nominated albums. Although they were not nominated directly, their contributions could earn them accolades should the respective albums triumph at the awards.

K-Pop Artists Indirectly Included in Nominations

Below is a list of K-pop artists who were indirectly highlighted in this year’s Grammy nominations:

aespa: Featured in “Over You” from Jacob Collier’s album Djesse Vol. 4, nominated for “Album of the Year.”
Stray Kids: Contributed to “Slash” from the Deadpool & Wolverine movie soundtrack, nominated for “Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.”
Jung Kook: Appeared in the remix of “Standing Next To You” on Usher’s album Coming Home, nominated for “Best R&B Song.”

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