BTS skips 2027 Grammy Awards consideration over new Asian pop category

BTS has announced it will not submit its music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards, citing concerns over the Recording Academy’s newly introduced Best Asian Pop Music Performance category. The seven-member K-pop group, known for their global influence and commercial success, shared a coordinated Instagram statement emphasizing their desire for music to be judged without regional or linguistic divisions.

The group’s latest album, *Arirang*, released in March 2026, features a blend of Korean and English lyrics, with over 80% of its tracks in English. This has raised questions about its eligibility for the new category, which requires “meaningful use” of an Asian language. The Recording Academy’s description of the award states it recognizes “artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including but not limited to K-pop, J-pop and C-pop, with meaningful use of one or more Asian languages.”

The decision comes amid broader debates about the Grammys’ approach to inclusivity, particularly for non-Western artists. In a statement shared via Instagram stories, BTS said: “We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.” The message, translated from Korean, reflects long-standing tensions between K-pop’s global appeal and the Grammys’ historical focus on Western-centric categories. BTS, which has been a voting member of the Recording Academy since 2019, has previously been nominated in categories like Best Pop Duo/Group Performance but has never won.

The new Asian Pop category, unveiled in June 2026, has drawn mixed reactions. The Hindustan Times reported that BTS’s move highlights concerns about the category’s potential to “segregate” rather than “include” Asian artists. The article noted that the group’s decision follows years of efforts to meet Western industry standards, including releasing English-language hits like *Dynamite* and *Butter*. Critics argue that the category risks reinforcing divisions, as seen in the case of Bad Bunny, whose 2025 Album of the Year win for a Spanish-language album signaled a shift toward embracing non-English music.

BTS’s *Arirang* album, which topped Billboard charts and generated significant international attention, was expected to be a strong contender for the new award. However, its English-heavy lyrics may have disqualified it under the category’s rules. The Recording Academy has not issued a public response to BTS’s decision, though the group’s announcement has reignited discussions about the role of language and geography in music recognition.

The group’s global tour, *World Tour Arirang*, has drawn record crowds, with the European leg attracting over 720,000 attendees. The group recently performed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show, sharing the stage with global stars like Madonna and Justin Bieber. Despite their commercial dominance, BTS has faced ongoing scrutiny over their eligibility for major awards, a challenge exacerbated by the Grammys’ evolving policies.

BTS’s stance aligns with broader criticisms of the Grammys’ efforts to adapt to the rise of K-pop and other global genres. The Recording Academy has expanded its voting body to include more Asian artists in recent years, yet the new category has sparked questions about whether it truly addresses systemic biases. The group’s decision to skip the 2027 Grammys underscores a reckoning within the music industry over how to balance inclusivity with artistic merit.