Announcement

On July 29, all seven members of BTS posted identical messages on Instagram announcing they would not submit any music for the 69th Grammy Awards, scheduled for February 2027. The decision was a direct response to the Recording Academy's introduction of a new category for best Asian pop music performance, announced on June 16. The group's statement, released in Korean and shared across their social media accounts, framed the boycott as a stand against categorizing music by region or language.

“We have decided not to submit to the Grammys this year. We hope music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language. Thank you to ARMY and everyone who is always with us.”

The new category

The category, titled Best Asian Pop Music Performance, is described by the Academy as recognizing "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 Academy said the move was intended to give more visibility to Asian artists. Harvey Mason Jr., the Academy's CEO, had previously stated that artists could still compete in general categories like Record of the Year or Best Duo/Group Performance.

Academy response

Mason expressed disappointment but defended the category after BTS's announcement. In a statement, he said he was "saddened" by the group's decision but respected it. He insisted the category was created to "celebrate the depth, diversity and exceptional growth of Asian pop" and that submitting to a genre category does not prevent artists from competing in general categories. The Academy did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for further comment.

“I am saddened to learn that BTS has chosen not to participate this year, but as a music creator, I understand and respect their decision.”

Album and eligibility

BTS's latest album, "Arirang," was released on March 20 after the members completed South Korea's mandatory military service. It topped the Billboard 200 chart for two consecutive weeks, setting a record for a K-pop act. The album is sung mostly in English, which would have made it ineligible for the new Asian pop category, according to several reports. The category requires meaningful use of an Asian language, and the album's lyrics are predominantly English, though it draws inspiration from a Korean folk song and explores Korean identity. The North American and European legs of the group's tour sold out within hours, according to Hybe, the agency that manages BTS.

Fan and industry reaction

The boycott sparked mixed reactions online. Many fans expressed disappointment that BTS would not compete, while others supported the group's stance. Some critics argued the new category risked marginalizing Asian artists rather than celebrating them. BTS has been nominated for five Grammys but has never won, despite global chart success and winning Artist of the Year at the 2026 American Music Awards, where they beat Taylor Swift and other major artists. The group's move follows previous Grammy boycotts by artists like The Weeknd and Drake.