BTS Declares It Will Not Submit Entries for the 2027 Grammy Awards

BTS has announced it will not submit any music for the 2027 Grammy Awards. On July 29, each member posted a statement on Instagram saying, “We have decided not to enter the Grammy this year,” explaining that they want their music to be heard and appreciated as it is, without being divided by region or language. This decision is interpreted as a protest against the newly created Best Asian Pop Music Performance category by the Recording Academy.

This announcement by BTS marks the first time a major artist has publicly withdrawn from the competition before even awards can begin to be given in the new Asian Pop category. Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Grammy Awards, said he understands and respects their decision as music creators, but added that he regrets their choice not to participate in the Grammy award process.

The Grammy CEO explained the purpose behind creating the new Asian Pop category. He stated, “This category was created to celebrate the depth, diversity, and remarkable growth of pop music originating from Asia.” He further emphasized that the spirit of this new category is to provide dedicated recognition for such important artists, adding that more categories mean more artists’ work will receive acknowledgment. He also noted that this is not intended to create division but rather to expand the scope of what the 15,000 Grammy voters recognize.

The Recording Academy announced five new categories on June 16. In addition to Best Asian Pop Music Performance, the new categories include Best Latin Song, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance, Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance, and Best Traditional Folk Album. The Asian Pop category is aimed at music that originated in or is widely recognized in Asian markets, particularly K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop, and requires “meaningful use of Asian languages.”

BTS ended its long hiatus by releasing its fifth studio album, “Arirang,” on March. This decision came just four months after the album’s release. Until 2026, they were the only K-pop group to have received a Grammy nomination, but that year saw changes with multiple K-pop artists being nominated in major Grammy categories. At last year’s Grammy Awards, the song “Golden” (performed by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami), which featured the voices of a fictional K-pop group called “KPop Demon Hunters,” won Best Song Written for Visual Media.

The 2027 Grammy Awards are scheduled to be broadcast in February via ABC, Disney+, and Hulu. The nomination deadline is August 28, with the Grammy nominations set to be announced on November 16.