BTS Declines Grammy Submission Amid New Asian Pop Category
When the world’s most‑streamed boy band announced that it would not submit its 2026 album ARIRANG for the 69th Annual Grammy Awards, the music community paused to take stock. The decision follows the Recording Academy’s June 2026 unveiling of a new category—Best Asian Pop Music Performance—whose language criteria do not align with the album’s largely English‑language content.
The announcement came on a Wednesday via a coordinated series of Instagram posts from each BTS member. The messages, simple and unembellished, expressed a desire for music to be judged “for what it is, rather than being defined by region or language.” No further explanation was offered.
ARIRANG debuted on March 20, 2026, and immediately vaulted to the top of the Billboard 200. It also claimed number‑one positions in more than 25 territories, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. The record blends extensive English lyrics with Korean themes, exploring the group’s return after members completed mandatory military service and reflecting on Korean identity.
The new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category was announced on June 16, 2026, by the Recording Academy. It is designed to honor “artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets.” A key eligibility requirement is a “meaningful use” of at least one Asian language. Because ARIRANG is predominantly English, it falls outside the category’s scope.
BTS’s history with the Grammys is notable. The group earned five nominations in 2023, including for Best Music Video, but has yet to win. In 2020, the single “Dynamite” made history as the first all‑South Korean act to top both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Global 200, and it was nominated for Record of the Year. The band’s success has been cited as a milestone for Korean pop music’s global reach.
The Academy’s decision to add a new category has sparked debate online. Some commentators worry that carving out a separate Asian pop award could isolate Asian artists from the broader pop field, while others view it as a recognition of the growing influence of K‑pop, J‑pop, and C‑pop.
BTS’s withdrawal marks the first major act to refuse submission in response to the new category. Although the group’s statement does not label it a formal protest, the timing suggests a reaction to the language requirement.
The 69th Annual Grammy Awards will take place on February 7, 2027, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The ceremony will be broadcast on ABC and streamed on Disney+ and Hulu under a new ten‑year deal with the Recording Academy. The Best Asian Pop Music Performance award will be presented for the first time at that event.
The band’s decision may influence other artists who consider submitting work that blends English and Asian languages. The Recording Academy has not yet issued a statement in response to BTS’s announcement.
In short, BTS has opted out of the 2027 Grammy Awards after the Academy introduced a new category that excludes the group’s latest album due to its language composition. The move underscores ongoing discussions about how best to recognize Asian pop music within the broader awards framework.
