BTS Declines 2027 Grammy Submissions Amid New Asian Pop Category
On July 30, 2026, BTS announced that the South Korean group would not submit any recordings for the 69th Annual Grammy Awards. Each of the seven members—RM, Jin, Suga, j‑hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook—posted the same message on their Instagram stories. The Korean‑language text translated to: “We have decided not to submit to the Grammys this year. I hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language. Thank you to ARMY and everyone who is always with us.”
The boycott is a direct response to the Recording Academy’s June 2026 announcement of a new category, Best Asian Pop Music Performance. Scheduled to debut at the February 7, 2027 ceremony in Los Angeles, the award is intended to honor pop recordings originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including K‑pop, J‑pop and C‑pop. BTS said the new category “divides” artists by region and language.
BTS’s statement came as the group returns to the music scene after all members completed their mandatory South Korean military service in 2025. Their fifth studio album, ARIRANG, released in March 2026, produced the English‑language single “SWIM,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a likely contender for Song of the Year. The album and its singles were expected to compete in several major Grammy categories, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year.
The group has received five Grammy nominations to date, including three consecutive nods for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Dynamite” (2021), “Butter” (2022) and “My Universe” (2023). BTS also performed at the 2026 World Cup halftime show alongside Shakira, Justin Bieber and Madonna.
The Recording Academy’s new category has sparked debate in the Korean music industry. Some artists and fans argue that the award creates a “consolation prize” that separates Asian artists from the general field, while others see it as an opportunity for greater visibility.
In a statement released the same day, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. expressed regret that BTS would not participate. He said, “I am saddened to hear that BTS has chosen not to participate in the Grammy Awards process this year, but as a music creator, I understand and respect their decision.” Mason clarified that the Asian Pop category was created to celebrate the diversity of pop artistry from Asia and that “more categories mean more artists’ work is recognized.” He added that submitting a recording for a genre category does not preclude it from being considered in the General Field.
The Academy cited precedent for artists competing in both genre and general categories. Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” won Best Rap/Sung Performance and Record and Song of the Year in 2019, while Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open” earned R&B awards and general field honors in 2022. However, a single recording can only be entered in one performance category; for example, a track entered for Best Asian Pop Music Performance cannot also be entered for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
The introduction of the Asian Pop category follows similar expansions in other genres. After Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter earned Grammy success, the Academy added Contemporary and Traditional Country categories. Bad Bunny’s Spanish‑language album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS won multiple general field awards, prompting the creation of Best Latin Song.
The 69th Annual Grammy Awards will take place on February 7, 2027, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The ceremony will be broadcast on ABC and streamed simultaneously on Disney+ and Hulu, marking the first Grammy telecast on ABC since 1972.
BTS’s decision to boycott the 2027 Grammys highlights ongoing tensions between global pop acts and the Recording Academy’s category structure. The outcome may influence how the Academy approaches genre classifications and international representation in future ceremonies.
