Rosé could've filled in for all the years BTS was left behind a Grammy win. Despite her smash hit APT with Bruno Mars receiving three major nominations,
giving the song high propects of winning at least one, APT became one of the biggest snubs at the 2026 Grammy Awards, reminding fans of how BTS has all these years been kept away from a win too. No, Rosé couldn't end the Grammy drought for K-pop. Infact, the defeat also broke the 6-year-old winning streak of Bruno Mars, who was on his 7th win. Rosé and Mars sitting disappointed in the audience is now one of the most viral moments of the Grammys 2026, and a huge disappointment for their global fandom.
APT loses all three Grammy 2026 nominations
When APT got Rosé three Grammy nominations this year in the big four categories for her solo collaboration with Bruno Mars, it was a huge milestone for a K-pop artist. It vied for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Everyone was sure the single from her debut solo album Rosie (2024) would at least win one trophy, if not more. Infact Rosé and Bruno Mars opening the mega music event with their electrifying performance on the song that left celebs dancing in the audience, was more like a prophecy. But it all went in vain.
Despite being one of the most talked-about songs of the year and making history as a first for a K-pop soloist nomination, Rosé lost. Netizens are now angry over the snub given how commercially successful and culturally impactful APT was.
Fans express disappointment over Grammy snub for APT
Many took to X (formerly Twitter) to post reactions. One user wrote, "Not winning doesn't mean losing. Rose has proven to the whole world today with the performance she put on today. It's incredible.I'm proud of Rose. That's the biggest victory in Rose's history.She has performed on the Grammy stage in front of artists of such high caliber." Another user said, "Even if they didnt win i want to congratulate Rosé and Bruno Mars and the other nominees too. Each one of them deserved to win. It was a very tough competition, all worked hard for it. Congratulations Kendrick Lamar and SZA for the GRAMMY."
APT still makes Grammy history
Nevertheless, Rosé still made Grammy history by becoming the first K-pop female soloist to be nominated in major Grammy categories. She also performed APT live at the Grammy ceremony, marking a historic solo K-pop performance.
APT, BTS Grammy connection through Ariana Grande
Though some K-pop fans are bringing a BTS connection to APT's Grammy 2026 snub. With regard to APT's nomination in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category, considered a key one due to its visible fan interest, the award went to Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for Defying Gravity. In 2021, BTS became the first K-pop act to receive a Grammy nomination for their track Dynamite, and something similar happened. It echoed BTS' own Grammy history.
BTS at Grammys over the years
BTS has been nominated for the Grammy Awards five times. Their nominations include: Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for Dynamite (2021) when they even performed the song. Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for Butter (2022). In 2023, they were nominated for Album of the Year (Music of the Spheres), Best Music Video for Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment) and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for My Universe. In 2020, they did not receive any nomination, but they performed with Lil Nas X.
Netizens draw parallels between APT and BTS
Just like APT and Rosé in 2026, even BTS didn't win the Grammy, and lost to a song involving Ariana Grande (Rain On Me with Lady Gaga). With Ariana winning again in a category where K-pop was nominated in 2026, fans across social media pointed out that this marked a déjà vu moment where after BTS, now Rosé was stopped from a Grammy in a major category by Ariana Grande. Fans have established a connection between BTS and APT in a similar pattern through social media mentions.
One comment read on X, "Immm gonna cry not because Ariana won her 3rd unexpected Grammy but that bts and rose now both lose to Ariana. They both can't drag each other bow!! I'm sorry but this is hilarious." Another one wrote, "Ariana ended kpop." A user opined, "grammys need to make a separate collabs category. 2018 was the last time a pre-established group won. let some of these groups get their dues whilst still celebrating collabs"
APT lost Record of the Year to Luther (Kendrick Lamar), Song of the Year to Wildflower (Billie Eilish) and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance to Defying Gravity (Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande).
