Group BTS has announced that they will not submit their work for this year's Grammy Awards. This decision comes in light of the Recording Academy's establishment of a separate category for Asian pop music, including K-pop, leading to interpretations of a de facto boycott of the Grammys.
BTS members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook shared on their social media on July 29, "We have decided not to submit for the Grammys this year."
They added, "We hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language," expressing gratitude to their fans, known as ARMY, and everyone who supports them.
This marks the first time BTS has publicly stated their refusal to submit for the Grammys. The phrase, "rather than being divided by region or language," has garnered attention, particularly in the context of the recent announcement of a new category for Asian pop music at the Grammy Awards.
The Grammy Awards, organized by the Recording Academy, are considered one of the major music award ceremonies in the U.S., alongside the Billboard Music Awards and the American Music Awards.
Previously, the Recording Academy announced the creation of a Best Asian Pop Music Performance category for the 2027 awards, which will include genres such as K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop.
However, some critics argue that separating K-pop, which has already achieved significant success in the global music market, into a distinct category could create barriers to entry for major categories. There are concerns that categorizing musical achievements by language and region may exclude non-English-speaking and Asian artists from mainstream award categories.
BTS has had a complicated relationship with the Grammy Awards. They were nominated for a Grammy for three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023, aiming to become the first K-pop group to win, but they did not secure a win. Despite their global streaming success and influential fanbase, they have faced ongoing debates regarding the conservative judging structure of the awards and barriers for non-English-speaking artists.
The album they have chosen not to submit, their fifth studio album 'ARIRANG,' debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart upon its release in March. The title track 'SWIM' also entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number one, with other tracks from the album charting as well.
This refusal to submit is particularly noteworthy amid the controversy surrounding the new Grammy category. BTS's statement about hoping for music to be appreciated for its essence reflects their concerns regarding the classification of K-pop into a separate category.
It remains to be seen how BTS's decision will influence the submission choices of other K-pop artists. As K-pop's influence in the global music market continues to grow, the debate surrounding the Grammy's new Asian pop category is likely to persist.
BTS members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook shared on their social media on July 29, "We have decided not to submit for the Grammys this year."
They added, "We hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language," expressing gratitude to their fans, known as ARMY, and everyone who supports them.
This marks the first time BTS has publicly stated their refusal to submit for the Grammys. The phrase, "rather than being divided by region or language," has garnered attention, particularly in the context of the recent announcement of a new category for Asian pop music at the Grammy Awards.
The Grammy Awards, organized by the Recording Academy, are considered one of the major music award ceremonies in the U.S., alongside the Billboard Music Awards and the American Music Awards.
Previously, the Recording Academy announced the creation of a Best Asian Pop Music Performance category for the 2027 awards, which will include genres such as K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop.
However, some critics argue that separating K-pop, which has already achieved significant success in the global music market, into a distinct category could create barriers to entry for major categories. There are concerns that categorizing musical achievements by language and region may exclude non-English-speaking and Asian artists from mainstream award categories.
BTS has had a complicated relationship with the Grammy Awards. They were nominated for a Grammy for three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023, aiming to become the first K-pop group to win, but they did not secure a win. Despite their global streaming success and influential fanbase, they have faced ongoing debates regarding the conservative judging structure of the awards and barriers for non-English-speaking artists.
The album they have chosen not to submit, their fifth studio album 'ARIRANG,' debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart upon its release in March. The title track 'SWIM' also entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number one, with other tracks from the album charting as well.
This refusal to submit is particularly noteworthy amid the controversy surrounding the new Grammy category. BTS's statement about hoping for music to be appreciated for its essence reflects their concerns regarding the classification of K-pop into a separate category.
It remains to be seen how BTS's decision will influence the submission choices of other K-pop artists. As K-pop's influence in the global music market continues to grow, the debate surrounding the Grammy's new Asian pop category is likely to persist.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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