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BTS are taking a bold stand against the Grammys over a controversial new category.
The Recording Academy announced the best Asian pop music performance category last month that will be introduced at the 2027 ceremony. The category “recognizes artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including but not limited to K-pop, J-pop and C-pop, with meaningful use of one or more Asian languages.”
But Wednesday, all seven of BTS’ members — Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook —announced on their individual Instagram Stories they’re not submitting themselves for consideration for any Grammys this elibility period.
“We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year,” the message, written in Korean, reads. “I hope music itself can be heard and loved rather than being distinguished by region or language.”
They thanked “the Army” — the name of their fan base worldwide — and “everyone who is always with us.”
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. shared a statement to the Grammys’ official Instagram page Wednesday evening, writing that he’s “saddened to hear that BTS has chosen not to participate in the Grammy Awards process this year,” but that he “understand[s] and respect[s] their decision.”
Of the controversy over the best Asian pop music performance category, he said “more categories mean more artists’ work is recognized” and is “never to divide.”
Mason Jr. reiterated that an artist submitting for a genre-specific category “does not exclude an artist from also submitting and being considered” in the general categories — like album of the year, record of the year and song of the year.
“Those categories remain open to any eligible recording, regardless of genre,” he explained. “Recognition in a general category and recognition in the General Field are not mutually exclusive. An artist can absolutely pursue both.”
