Seoul: South Korean singer Park Jin-young and all members of K-pop groups TWICE and Stray Kids have been invited to join the U.S. Recording Academy as voting members, their agency JYP Entertainment announced Tuesday. This inclusion marks a significant milestone for the artists as they now have the opportunity to play a critical role in the nomination and final selection process for the Grammy Awards, which are regarded as the highest honors in the U.S. music industry.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the eligibility for voting membership in the Recording Academy is extended to music creators such as artists, songwriters, producers, and engineers. This selection underscores the global influence and recognition of K-pop within the international music scene.

In addition to the artists, JYP Entertainment revealed that its Chief Executive Officer Jung Wook and Chief Strategy Officer Shin Hyun-kook, who also leads JYP America, have been chosen as professional members of the Academy. While these professional members do not possess voting rights for the Grammy Awards, they contribute to the submission process, supporting the creators and further integrating K-pop into the global music industry.

The 69th Grammy Awards is set to take place in Los Angeles on February 7, and with these new additions, the influence of K-pop is expected to be more pronounced in the prestigious event.