BTS will not submit their music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards, marking a shift in the group’s long relationship with the ceremony.
The seven members — RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook — shared an identical statement on Instagram announcing their decision. They said they hoped music could be recognised without being divided by region or language.
The decision comes one month after the Recording Academy introduced the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category. The new award has received mixed reactions, with some fans arguing that it separates Asian artists rather than recognising them alongside other major categories.
BTS had been expected to be among the artists considered for several major Grammy categories following the release of their comeback album Arirang. Its lead single “Swim” reached No. 1 in the US and was viewed as a possible contender for song of the year.
However, the album would not qualify for the new Asian pop category because most of its lyrics are in English. The category requires a “meaningful use” of an Asian language, as reported by the BBC.
The group’s statement highlighted concerns around how music is categorised within award systems. By referring to both region and language, BTS appeared to address the discussion surrounding the new category and its place within the Grammys.
BTS has been closely linked with the Grammys in recent years. The group became the first K-pop act to receive a nomination in 2021 for “Dynamite” and has earned four more nominations since, including categories for best pop duo/group performance and best music video. Despite those nominations, the group has not won a Grammy.
The withdrawal comes as BTS continues to hold a major position in global pop music. Since forming in 2013, the group has helped expand K-pop’s international audience, while all seven members have also been voting members of the Recording Academy since 2019.
The Grammys have made efforts to include more Asian artists in its voting body, adding several Korean and K-pop industry figures in recent years. However, the introduction of the new category has reopened discussions about how artists from different regions and languages are represented.
BTS’s decision means the group will sit out the 2027 awards cycle, shifting attention from potential nominations to the wider conversation around recognition in the music industry.
