BTS, the popular K-pop group, has announced that they will not be submitting any music for consideration at the upcoming Grammy Awards. The band’s seven members, RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, released a joint statement on Instagram expressing their desire for their music to be appreciated for its essence rather than being categorized by region or language. They extended gratitude to their loyal fanbase, ARMY, and all supporters.
This decision follows the recent introduction of a new Grammy category for best Asian pop music performance by the Recording Academy. This category aims to acknowledge excellence in Asian pop music performances, including genres like K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop, that utilize Asian languages in a significant manner.
BTS’s latest album, “Arirang,” predominantly features English lyrics, potentially excluding them from consideration in the new Asian pop music performance category. Despite receiving five Grammy nominations and delivering three performances at the ceremony in the past, BTS has never secured a Grammy win. All seven members are active voting members of the Recording Academy since 2019.
Following their return from mandatory military service in South Korea, BTS made a remarkable comeback with the release of “Arirang,” their first album in years. The album debuted at the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart, while their lead single, “Swim,” claimed the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The group’s decision not to submit their music to the Grammys aligns them with other artists who have criticized the awards or opted out of participation in recent times. Notable examples include Frank Ocean and The Weeknd, who reconciled with the Recording Academy last year. Drake also publicly criticized the Grammys in 2020 after The Weeknd’s album received zero nominations, highlighting a growing trend of artists questioning the relevance of these awards.
CBC News has sought a response from the Recording Academy regarding BTS’s announcement but has not received a reply yet. In 2026, the K-pop track “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” made history as the first K-pop song to win a Grammy. The same year, Rosé of Blackpink became the first K-pop artist nominated for Record of the Year. BTS, fresh from their performance at the FIFA World Cup halftime show, is embarking on the North American leg of their Arirang world tour, with a stop planned at Toronto’s Rogers Stadium in August.
