It appears BTS (방탄소년단) is skipping the 2027 Grammys. The renowned boy band has announced their decision not to submit for nomination for next year’s ceremony, likely in protest of its new “Best Asian Pop” category.
Earlier today (Wednesday, 29th July 2026), all members of BTS took to social media to announce their decision not to submit any music for nomination for the 69th Annual Grammy Awards, which will take place in February 2027. In the shared statement, the members wrote, “We have decided not to submit to the Grammys this year. We hope music can be heard and loved for what it is, beyond region or language.”
Ending their joint statement, the K-Pop group also thanked their loyal fandom, the ARMYs, as well as the public for their continued support. The shocking announcement comes weeks after The Recording Academy unveiled the new “Best Asian Pop Music Performance” category for its upcoming ceremony. While the group never disclosed the reason for the non-submission, many interpret the move as a protest against the new category.
In case you’re wondering, the “Best Asian Pop Music Performance” category recognises excellence in Asian pop music, including, but not limited to, K-Pop, J-Pop and C-Pop. Unsurprisingly, the region-specific category had sparked debate, especially among ARMYs. Many argue that the new category is a deliberate move from The Recording Academy to separate Asian acts, particularly K-Pop, from the major awards.
Some also criticise the award ceremony for being unwilling to recognise the global impact of non-Western acts. The timing of the introduction also struck a chord with ARMYs, with many alleging that The Recording Academy timed it to BTS’ long-awaited comeback. Many argued that the group has a high chance of winning the major categories, including “Album of the Year”, but might only qualify for the “Best Asian Pop” category based on the criteria.
Following BTS’ announcement, many ARMYs expressed their support for the decision. It’s worth noting that the seven-member group have repeatedly described winning a Grammy Award as one of their biggest career goals. They currently have three solo nominations and five overall. While BTS could easily win the coveted award under the “Best Asian Pop” category, many fans agree that it won’t have the same level of prestige as winning any of the major categories.
HYBE has also clarified the move, denying that it’s part of a label-wide boycott of the award ceremony. The company also said that BTS decided on the move as a group to “protect the status and pride of the K-Pop industry as a whole”. What are your thoughts on this?
Sources: The Korea Times, The Korea Herald, Twitter
