South Korean K-pop group BTS has announced that it will not submit its latest album, Arirang, or any of its songs for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards.
The seven-member group made the decision after the Recording Academy introduced a new category titled Best Asian Pop Music Performance, prompting debate over whether Asian artists could be separated from mainstream pop categories on the basis of language or geography.
BTS members RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook said in a joint statement shared through their social media accounts that they wanted their music to be judged for its artistic value rather than divided by region or language.
The group’s decision means Arirang and tracks from the album will not be entered for nominations at the 69th Grammy Awards, scheduled for February 7, 2027.
New Asian Pop Category Sparks Debate
The Recording Academy introduced Best Asian Pop Music Performance as one of several new categories for the 2027 awards.
The category is intended to recognise music associated with Asian pop traditions, including K-pop, J-pop and C-pop. However, critics have argued that a geographically defined category could unintentionally isolate Asian performers instead of allowing them to compete equally across established pop categories.
BTS said it hoped music could be appreciated universally without being restricted by linguistic or regional classifications.
While the decision has widely been described as a Grammy withdrawal or boycott, the group has specifically confirmed that it will not submit its music for award consideration. It has not formally stated whether its members will attend or perform at the ceremony.
‘Arirang’ Excluded From Grammy Race
Released in March 2026, Arirang marked BTS’s major group comeback following the completion of the members’ mandatory military service.
The album and its songs had been viewed as potential contenders in several Grammy categories before the group’s announcement.
By withholding the album, BTS will be ineligible for nominations based on that release, unless another eligible party submits material under the Recording Academy’s rules.
The decision has triggered a wider discussion among fans and music commentators about diversity, representation and whether regional award categories create greater recognition or reinforce separation within the global music industry.
BTS and the Grammys
BTS has previously received several Grammy nominations, including recognition in pop performance categories and through its collaboration with British band Coldplay.
Despite its global commercial success and multiple nominations, the group has yet to win a Grammy Award.
Its latest decision represents one of the most prominent objections by an international music act to the Recording Academy’s evolving category system.
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