In brief
BTS’s united message on Instagram announced that the K‑Pop group would not submit music for the 2027 Grammy Awards, citing a desire for music to be judged beyond regional or language boundaries. The announcement came a month after the Recording Academy introduced a new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category that requires substantial Asian-language lyrics, a move many fans felt pigeonholed Asian artists. The decision highlights broader questions about representation, inclusion, and the evolving role of prestigious music awards on a global stage.
BTS have decided not to submit music for the 2027 Grammy Awards, following an announcement on Instagram in which all seven members shared the same statement. The group said: “We have decided not to enter 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.” They then thanked their fans, the BTS Army, for their support.
The band had been poised to compete in major categories after releasing "Arirang," a commercial blockbuster, and its single "Swim," which had topped the U‑S charts. However, the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance award—introduced only last month—requires “meaningful use” of an Asian language, and more than 80 percent of the lyrics of "Arirang" are in English, precluding a nomination.
Many fans reacted with disappointment, feeling that the award’s terms were discriminatory and pigeonholing Asian artists into separate categories. Some expressed that the new category was “disrespectful” and kept Western artists on top. This sentiment echoes earlier boycotts by artists such as The Weeknd and Frank Ocean, who stood against what they perceived as cultural and linguistic exclusion.
BTS, formed in 2013, are the first K‑Pop group to receive a Grammy nomination (2021 for "Dynamite," an English‑only track). All members are voting members of the Recording Academy and have performed on the Grammys stage multiple times yet have never won.
The Recording Academy has been expanding its voting roster to include Korean artists, but the recent category change remains controversial. While it aims to increase visibility for Asian‑language songs, critics argue it may reinforce divisions rather than promote global musical unity.
