BTS announced this week that the group will not submit its music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards. The news came as a surprise, landing during one of the biggest comeback years of the group’s career. Here is what actually happened and why it matters.
What BTS announced
On Wednesday, all seven members of BTS, RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook, posted the same statement on their individual Instagram accounts. The message read: “We have decided not to submit for Grammy consideration this year. We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language. We thank Army and everyone who has always stood by us.”
The statement was brief, but its timing made it stand out. It arrived just over a month after the Recording Academy introduced a new award category specifically for Asian pop music.
The new Grammy category at the center of this
In June, the Recording Academy unveiled five new categories for the upcoming Grammy cycle, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance. According to the Academy’s own description, the category recognizes artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances that originate from or are widely recognized within Asian markets. This includes K-pop, J-pop and C-pop, as long as the work makes meaningful use of one or more Asian languages.
The category has stirred debate within Korea’s music industry since it was announced. Some see it as overdue recognition for a genre that has long struggled to break into the Grammys’ major categories. Others argue it effectively sets Asian pop music apart from the main pop and album categories, rather than including it fully.
Why the timing matters
BTS is in the middle of a strong comeback year. All seven members completed South Korea’s mandatory military service before regrouping as a full unit. In March, the group released its fifth studio album, “Arirang,” which topped Billboard’s singles and albums charts and drew a significant global response. The group is now in the middle of its “World Tour Arirang,” having recently wrapped its European dates in Paris.
Given this momentum, expectations for BTS to finally win a Grammy had been building heading into next year’s ceremony. Instead of leaning into that attention, the group chose to step back from the race entirely.
BTS’ history with the Grammys
BTS has been nominated for Grammy Awards before, including in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Music Video categories. The group has never won. All seven members have held voting membership status with the Recording Academy since 2019.
Notably, last year’s ceremony saw “Golden,” the theme song from Netflix’s animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” become the first K-pop-related song to win a Grammy, taking home the award for best song written for visual media.
How the decision is being read
Some fans and commentators have framed the move as a form of protest against the new Asian pop category, arguing that BTS is rejecting what it sees as a separate, lesser lane for Asian artists. Others have described it more simply, as BTS choosing not to have its work sorted or defined by geography or language at all. The group’s own statement leans toward the second reading, focusing on wanting music to be heard on its own terms.
Practically speaking, the outcome is the same either way. Without a submission, BTS cannot be nominated or win at the 69th Grammy Awards.
What comes next
The 69th Annual Grammy Awards are scheduled for February 7, 2027, at Crypto (dot) com Arena. Eligibility for this cycle covers albums released between August 31, 2025, and August 28, 2026, a window that includes BTS’ “Arirang.” The online entry period for artists runs from July 7 through August 21.
- BTS
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