BTS Refuses Grammy Submissions Over New “Asian Pop” Category

On July 29, BTS announced via Instagram that the seven-member South Korean group will not submit any music for the 69th Annual Grammy Awards slated for February 2027. The decision marks the first time BTS has opted out of the ceremony.

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The Recording Academy introduced a new “Best Asian Pop Music Performance” category on June 16, defining it as recognizing artistic excellence in Asian pop originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including K-pop, J-pop and C-pop. BTS’s latest album, ARIRANG, was released on March 20 after the members completed mandatory military service. The album topped the Billboard 200 for two consecutive weeks, setting a record for a K-pop act, and the group’s world-tour tickets sold out within hours in South Korea, North America and Europe.

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• ARIRANG: Billboard 200 No. 1 for two weeks; first K-pop album to achieve this streak.

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• Tour demand: South Korean presale tickets sold out rapidly; North American and European legs sold out within hours, according to Hybe.

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• Grammy history: BTS has received five nominations—including three consecutive Best Pop Duo/Group Performance nods (2021-2023) and a Best Music Video nomination in 2023—but has never won.

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• “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.” — CEO Harvey Mason Jr, the academy’s CEO

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• “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, the academy’s CEO

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