BTS withdraws from 2027 Grammy consideration over new Asian pop category

The seven‑member South Korean group BTS announced that it will not submit any music for the 2027 Grammy Awards. In a joint statement posted to their social‑media accounts, the members said they want their work judged on artistic merit rather than being divided by region or language, and they objected to the Recording Academy’s newly created Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, which requires a predominant Asian‑language component.

Recording Academy chief executive Harvey Mason Jr. responded, expressing regret that BTS chose not to participate but affirming respect for their decision. He explained that the new category is intended to “celebrate the depth, diversity and growth of Asian pop music” and does not prevent artists from competing in general fields such as Album of the Year or Song of the Year. Industry figures, including Hyundai Card CEO Ted Chung, also weighed in, questioning whether the category could unintentionally isolate Asian artists.

Following the announcement, historic BTS Grammy performance videos were removed from the Academy’s website, though they remain available on the group’s own channels, adding further controversy to the dispute.