K-pop sensation BTS has withdrawn from the 2027 Grammy Awards, suggesting their decision is connected to the Recording Academy's recent addition of a 'best Asian pop music performance' award.
Each of the South Korean group's seven members posted on Instagram, stating: "We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year. I hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language." This statement is seen as a gentle critique of the new category.
When announcing the new category, Recording Academy president Harvey Mason Jr said the decision was due to the "music community sharing with us that they felt they needed to have more opportunities to celebrate different and new genres of music." Concerns have been raised in the Asian pop community that the category could isolate Asian artists from top award contention.
BTS's recent album, Arirang, features predominantly Korean lyrics, which would likely qualify it for the new category requiring "meaningful use" of an Asian language. The Recording Academy has not yet commented on BTS's withdrawal.