Grammy to add Asian Pop category as K-pop artists headline World Cup ceremonies

The Grammy Awards will add an Asian Pop category starting next year. It covers Korean, Japanese, and Chinese pop music and winners will be announced at the February ceremony.

The Recording Academy said the influence of Asian pop "continues to grow" and that now is "the right time to create a category that accurately reflects this."

The announcement arrives after K-pop artists took prominent roles across multiple World Cup ceremonies. BLACKPINK's Lisa was one of the main performers at the Los Angeles opening ceremony. Lee Jae of K-pop Demon Hunters performed Korean-language lyrics at the Mexico City opening ceremony. BTS performed at the World Cup final halftime show — the first time such a show was introduced at the tournament.

Music critic Kim Do-heon saw it differently: "Grammy continues to create new categories because viewership and buzz are declining," he said. The Asian Pop category signals "significant interest in Asian music in the North American market."

Whether the Grammy bump translates into a competitive field or a prestige gesture is the question everyone will be watching in February. The first Asian Pop Grammy will be awarded at that ceremony.