These K-pop groups are drawing the attention of the international market!
Awarded since 1959, Grammy Best New Artist Award has been one of the most competitive fields in the prestigious ceremony, choosing the best artist who made a huge impact in the US with their music and has given huge breakthroughs into the public consciousness.
This award has yet to recognize K-pop groups since no one has ever come to the list of awardees, even as nominees. However, with the sudden changes in the rules of nomination and giving more slots to the nominees, which is usually 5, hereinafter 8, Forbes listed down four huge K-pop groups that paved their way to the international music industry, banging its fame in the US, and are the strongest contenders that could be the first K-pop group to finally make it to the Best New Artist list of Grammy.
SuperM
Known as the "Avengers of K-pop," SuperM surprised the music industry as one of the first permanent "hybrid" group, consisting of members coming from popular idol groups under SM Entertainment. In 2019, they debuted intending to draw the attention of the US market, and without a doubt, SuperM album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard 200.
Forbes, though noted, "They have been long quiet for eight months since they ruled the roost with SuperM, so it's possible that Grammy voters may not properly remember their success," hoping that the group would release something to remind their existence.
BLACKPINK
Despite hiatus in late 2019, their track, "KILL THIS LOVE," still left a huge impact, especially in the US. Among the groups, BLACKPINK has been capturing the attention of media, with the chance that they could be the first K-pop group to be nominated as Best New Artist.
Last May 2020, they topped the international charts after releasing "Sour Candy," in collaboration with Lady Gaga for her album, "CHROMATICA." Their song is the first track by a K-pop girl group to ever hit the Top 40 roof in Billboard Hot 100.
In addition to this, their recent single "How You Like That?" is killing the game as well, gaining several recognitions despite being a pre-release single. Thus, they could be one of the strongest contenders for the nomination.
NCT 127
NCT 127, a sub-unit under NCT, is hailed by LA Times as the group "leading the next generation of K-pop." Now, the million-seller group through their album "Neo Zone," NCT 127 is holding a huge change to steal a spot for the award nominees, especially that they sat on the No. 5 in Billboard 200 during their album release.
As they have been going strong especially in America, they could possibly be one of eight nominees, according to Forbes.
MONSTA X
After signing with their US label, Maverick, founded by Madonna, MONSTA X's popularity in the US skyrocketed, establishing a stable name in the US music industry. Upon releasing their studio album "All About Luv," it immediately climbed to Billboard 200's No. 5 spot.
Moreover, aside from their impact through music in America, Forbes also suggested, "What may help them gain an edge over other K-pop acts is the fact that their high-profile project is in English." It is not one of the criteria to be nominated, but the chances of being heard by Grammy voters are greater.
With the approachong date of closing the nomination, which K-pop group or groups do you think will finally break the barriers for K-pop in the Grammy Best New Artist award?
