BTS’ Historic Grammy Nomination Brings Them One Step Closer To Total U.S. Domination

South Korean artists BTS are capping off 2018 with although another historic achievement: a Grammy nomination. The septet scored a coveted nom from the Recording Academy for Best Recording Package, a category that celebrates the visual look of an album.


The nomination is testament to the group's artsy vision, specifically for their chart-topping Love Yourself: Tear release — the second installment of their critically acclaimed Love Yourself trilogy. BTS are nominated alongside Korean branding firm HuskyFox, who is listed on the Love Yourself: Tear credits under "art work," reports Billboard. ​


BTS being acknowledged by the Recording Academy for their concept and visuals should come as no surprise to their dedicated fans; the group's meticulously plotted artistic narratives are usually intertwined with the deeper meanings in their music. Once it comes to BTS, the two go hand in hand.


While Korean pop has long been driven by striking visuals and conceptualized imagery, BTS' nomination at the 2019 Grammys is a huge milestone for K-pop's growing visibility — and credibility — in the U.S. And it's a wonderful first step.


Back in September, lead rapper Suga addressed the subject of defining K-pop throughout an intimate conversation at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. "Rather than approach K-pop as genre, I think a higher class of approach could be integrated content," he mentioned. "K-pop includes not just music, nevertheless clothes, makeup, choreography. All of those concepts amalgamate with each other in a visual and auditory content package that sets it apart from other music or other genres."


Some fans might be irritated the sort didn't score any nominations in major categories like Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Duo/Group Efficiency, although the seven members of BTS have a lot to be overjoyed of this year. They concluded their chart-topping Love Yourself series — scoring not one nevertheless two No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, a momentous first for K-pop — embarked on their sold-out world tour, became the opening Korean artists to perform at a stadium venue in the U.S., Discussed at the United Nations, and made history because the youngest recipients of South Korea's prestigious Hwagwan Sort of Cultural Merit.


Not to say, a Grammy is a Grammy.