BTS Reportedly Skips Grammys in Protest Over New “Asian Pop” Category
K-pop titans BTS have once again made headlines, this time by reportedly declining to submit their music for the upcoming 69th Grammy Awards in February 2027. This bold move is widely interpreted as a powerful statement against the U.S. Recording Academy’s controversial new “Best Asian Pop Music Performance” category, sparking a significant conversation across the global music industry and among the passionate ARMY fandom.
The septet’s decision, though not explicitly stating the new category as the reason, voiced a clear desire for their music to be “heard and loved for what it is, rather than categorized by region or language.” This sentiment resonates deeply with fans and industry observers who have long criticized major Western awards for often sidelining non-English language acts into specific “world music” or regional categories.
K-pop boy group BTS is seen in this photo provided by BigHit Music. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Recording Academy Defends New Category Amid Backlash
The Recording Academy’s CEO, Harvey Mason Jr., responded to the backlash, expressing sadness over BTS’s choice while respecting their decision. In a statement posted on the Grammys’ Instagram, Mason defended the creation of the new Asian Pop category, emphasizing it was designed to celebrate the “depth, diversity, and excellence” of Asian pop art, not to “divide.” He clarified that artists are still eligible for top General Field honors like Album of the Year or Song of the Year, regardless of submitting to genre-specific categories. “Recognition in a genre category and recognition in the General Field are not mutually exclusive. An artist can absolutely pursue both,” Mason stated, underscoring the Grammys’ commitment to global voices.
A History of Grammy Snubs and K-Pop’s Fight for Recognition
However, the Grammys have a long history of facing criticism for their perceived conservatism and exclusivity, particularly towards non-white and non-Western artists. Despite K-pop’s massive global impact and BTS’s undeniable success – topping both the U.S. Billboard’s main singles and albums charts with their fifth studio album, “Arirang,” released in March – the group has yet to clinch a Grammy win. They received three consecutive nominations for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance between 2021 and 2023, but no trophy. Recent instances, like “Golden” from the smash-hit soundtrack to the Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” winning only one Grammy (Best Song Written for Visual Media) and BLACKPINK’s Rose going home empty-handed despite her strong chart performance with “APT.,” further fuel the discussion about adequate recognition for K-pop at these prestigious awards. BTS’s latest move highlights a growing demand for true global inclusivity in music recognition.
