South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has publicly lauded BLACKPINK's Rose following her performance and nominations at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. While Rose did not secure a win for "APT.," her collaboration with Bruno Mars, the President acknowledged her global competitiveness and significant contribution to K-pop.

"You've written a new chapter in K-pop history," Lee Jae Myung stated in a post on social media platform X. He extended his "warmest congratulations on the meaningful achievement on the world's most prestigious stage that every musician dreams of".

Rose's performance at the Grammys marked a historic moment, as she became the first solo K-pop artist to grace the stage on music's biggest night. She and Bruno Mars performed their hit song, "APT.," which was nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Despite being one of the most commercially successful songs of the year, "APT." did not win in any of the nominated categories, sparking backlash and frustration among K-pop fans.

Adding to the K-pop presence at the Grammys, "Golden," from the soundtrack of Netflix's animated sensation "KPop Demon Hunters," won the Best Song Written for Visual Media award. This marked the first time K-pop producers or songwriters have taken home the honor. President Lee also congratulated the song and pledged continued support for artists. He praised the producers and staff who worked behind the scenes, calling them "a source of pride for South Korea," and vowed to "steadfastly support our artists so they can showcase their talents on an even broader stage".

The success of "Golden" has been hailed as a potential breakthrough for K-pop on the global stage. One YouTube commentator noted that neither BTS nor Blackpink had previously won a Grammy, suggesting that "a path had now been forced open" and that "With that barrier now breached, K-pop artists may finally begin to receive the recognition they deserve".

Music columnist Kim Do-hoon told AFP that the Grammys had long sidelined K-pop because of its "cookie-cutter format" and a perceived lack of musical quality. He stated that the Grammys are "also known for avoiding heavily produced music, which is often the case with K-pop artists". However, the recent win for "Golden" may signal a shift in the Grammys' perception of K-pop.

Rose's appearance at the Grammys was also notable for her new hairstyle – a curly bob that was a departure from her usual style. The style, which hit just above her shoulders, was reminiscent of the album artwork for "rosie," which was released in December 2024.

Despite not winning any awards, Rose's performance and nominations, along with the win for "Golden," represent a significant moment for K-pop. President Lee Jae Myung's public acknowledgement underscores the importance of K-pop's global impact and the South Korean government's commitment to supporting its artists.