Global K-pop sensation BTS has announced that it will not submit any of its music for consideration at the 69th Grammy Awards, a decision that comes shortly after the Recording Academy introduced a new award category dedicated to Asian pop music.
The seven-member South Korean group shared the announcement through a statement posted on Instagram by all members, explaining that they would be sitting out the Grammy submission process this year.
According to the statement, the band believes music should be appreciated based on its artistic value rather than being separated by language or geographical origin.
“We have decided not to submit to the Grammys this year,” the group stated, adding that they hope music will be “heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.”
The announcement follows the Recording Academy’s recent confirmation that the 2027 Grammy Awards will feature a new category, Best Asian Pop Music Performance, marking the first time an award specifically recognizing Asian pop music will be included in the ceremony. The 69th Grammy Awards are scheduled to take place on February 7, 2027.
Reacting to BTS’ decision, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. expressed disappointment while acknowledging the group’s right to make its own choice.
He said he respected the band’s position as fellow music creators and noted that artists entering music in genre-specific categories, including the new Asian pop category, are still eligible to compete in the Grammy Awards’ general field categories such as Record of the Year.
Mason Jr. explained that the newly introduced award was designed to celebrate the rapid growth, diversity and global impact of Asian pop music rather than separate artists from mainstream competition.
The addition of the Asian pop category has generated widespread discussion among music fans and industry analysts. While some welcomed the move as long-overdue recognition for Asian artists, others questioned whether creating a separate category could unintentionally limit their visibility in major Grammy categories instead of promoting greater inclusion.
The debate also intensified because the announcement came around the same period BTS reunited as a complete group, leading some observers to speculate about the timing of the new category.
Since debuting in 2010, BTS has established itself as one of the world’s most successful music acts. The group won the Billboard Music Award for Top Social Artist five consecutive times between 2017 and 2021, claimed Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards in both 2021 and 2026, and became the most-awarded group in Billboard Music Awards history in 2022.
Despite choosing not to participate in this year’s Grammy Awards submissions, BTS remains one of the most influential and commercially successful groups in global music, with a fan base that continues to span continents.
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