Full Breakdown
BTS Declines Grammy Submission Over New Asian Pop Category
7/30/2026, 6:57:15 AM
Core Event
On July 29 the seven-member South Korean group BTS announced they will not submit any music for the 69th Annual Grammy Awards slated for February 2027. The boycott stems from dissatisfaction with the Recording Academy’s newly created “Best Asian Pop Music Performance” category, which the band says risks dividing music by region or language.
Background and Recent Success
The Academy introduced the Asian-pop category on June 16, defining it as a recognition of artistic excellence in performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including K-pop, J-pop and C-pop. BTS, managed by Big Hit Music under Hybe, released their comeback album “ARIRANG” on March 20 after a hiatus for members’ military service. The album topped the Billboard 200 for two consecutive weeks, setting a new record for a K-pop act. Their North American and European tour legs sold out within hours, and at the 52nd American Music Awards in May the group won Artist of the Year, beating Taylor Swift and other major artists.
Official Statements & Responses
The Recording Academy expressed disappointment at BTS’s decision. CEO Harvey Mason Jr.
Data & Statistics
- “ARIRANG” release: March 20.
- Billboard 200: two-week run at No. 1, a first for any K-pop act.
- Tour tickets: South-Korea presale sold out in January; North American and European legs sold out within hours.
- Awards: Artist of the Year and two additional honors at the May American Music Awards.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Harvey Mason Jr
- “Those categories remain open to any eligible recording, regardless of genre. Recognition in a genre category and recognition in the General Field are not mutually exclusive. An artist can absolutely pursue both,” — Harvey Mason
