1. Divisive Debate Erupts as Kpop Groups Submit Grammy Nominations in Equal Measure 2. Controversy Escalates as Kpop Bands Submit Grammy Nominations, Generating Mixed Reactions

Recently, the Korean media has been buzzing with a list of Kpop artists submitting nominations for the 2024 Grammy Awards. As the most prestigious annual music award, fans closely follow the Grammy results each year. Kpop, since its increasing influence in the North American market, has had BTS as the first representative to be nominated for the Grammy for three consecutive years (2021-2023). Currently, there have been 7 music groups and all 7 members of BTS submitting nominations for the 2024 Grammy Awards. Among them, TWICE has garnered the most attention with their nomination for “Ready to Be” (nominated for Album of The Year, Pop Vocal Album) and their title track “Set Me Free” (nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Pop Duo/Group Performance, Music Video). TWICE has submitted a Grammy nomination for their first English album. Additionally, Fifty Fifty is also eligible to submit for Best New Artist; their song “Cupid” (Twin Version) is nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Music Video, and the soundtrack “Barbie Dreams” for Pop Duo/Group Performance. These two significant nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year have been criticized for being too ambitious for Fifty Fifty. These cases have sparked controversy within the Kpop fan community, as many believe that these products are not truly deserving of a Grammy nomination. TWICE is entering the 8th year of their career and taking their first steps towards the US market with their first English album. However, in terms of impact and reach, “Ready To Be” has not created the expected buzz, especially when compared to rival groups like BLACKPINK. Similarly, Fifty Fifty is a newcomer who has only had one viral hit on social media with “Cupid” and has not had any new activities after the controversy with their management company, losing their reputation in the process. These two major nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year have been deemed too ambitious for Fifty Fifty. As for BTS, after entering the second phase of their careers, all 7 members have submitted nominations as solo artists with their individual successful activities this year. Suga (also known as Agust D) has submitted nominations for his album “D-Day” and the song “Haegeum”. RM, Jimin, and V will compete in the category of Best Pop Vocal Album. In addition, RM has also submitted a nomination for the Pop Duo/Group Performance category, which is also the category that j-hope, Jimin, and Jung Kook have submitted nominations for. Notably, Jimin and Jung Kook have also submitted nominations for the Big 4 categories (Record of the Year, Song of the Year). However, considering their overall achievements and impact, only Jung Kook is evaluated by audiences as a potential nominee for the 2024 Grammy Awards. Facing contrasting opinions, fans of the mentioned Kpop groups simply believe that meeting the criteria and submitting nominations is normal. Not everyone has an easy chance to attend the Grammy Awards. The controversy surrounding this issue is still ongoing. Here is the list of Kpop artists who have submitted nominations for the 2024 Grammy Awards: BTS members: RM – “Indigo” – Pop Vocal Album, “Wild Flower” – Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Music Video Jin – “The Astronaut” – Pop Solo Performance, Best Music Video Agust D – “D-Day” – Rap Album, “Haegeum” – Rap Performance, Best Music Video j-hope – “On the Street” – Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Music Video Jimin – “Face” – Pop Vocal Album, “Like Crazy” – Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Pop Solo Performance, Best Music Video, “Angel Pt.1” – Pop Duo/Group Performance, “Layover” – Pop Vocal Album, “Slow Dancing” – Pop Solo Performance, Best Music Video Jung Kook – “Seven” – Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Music Video TWICE – “Ready to Be” – Album of The Year, Pop Vocal Album, “Set Me Free” – Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Pop Duo/Group Performance, Music Video Fifty Fifty – Best New Artist, “Cupid” (Twin Version) – Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Music Video, “Barbie Dreams” – Pop Duo/Group Performance STRAY KIDS – Best New Artist, “5-Star” – Album of The Year, Pop Vocal Album, “S-Class” – Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Music Video SEVENTEEN – Best New Artist TOMORROW X TOGETHER: – “Back for More” – Pop Duo/Group Performance, “Sugar Ride Rush” – Best Music Video, “Our Last Summer” – Music Film NCT Dream – “Broken Melodies” – Pop Duo/Group Performance aespa – Best New Artist.