Why did BTS reject Grammy race this year?

South Korean global music sensation BTS has decided not to submit its music for consideration at the 69th Grammy Awards in 2027, raising fresh debate over the Recording Academy’s newly introduced Best Asian Pop Music Performance category.

The seven-member group announced the decision through individual posts on Instagram, saying it wanted music to be appreciated for its artistic value rather than being separated by region or language.

“We hope music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language,” the group said while confirming it would not participate in the upcoming Grammy submission process.

This marks the first time BTS has stepped away from the Grammy competition, despite being one of the most influential global acts and a major force behind the worldwide rise of K-pop.

The controversy began after the Recording Academy introduced the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, which will debut at the 69th Grammy Awards scheduled for February 2027. The category aims to recognise outstanding pop performances from Asian markets, including K-pop, J-pop and C-pop, featuring Asian languages.

However, BTS’ decision highlighted concerns among some artists and fans that creating region-based categories could create divisions within global music rather than promoting equal recognition.

Responding to the group’s announcement, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said he was disappointed but respected BTS’ choice.

Mason explained that the new category was created to celebrate the diversity, growth and creativity of Asian artists, not to separate them from other musicians.

He said the purpose of the award was to provide more opportunities for artists to receive recognition from Grammy voters and emphasized that artists nominated in genre categories could still compete for major awards, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year.

“The category was created to shine a spotlight on important artists and expand recognition,” Mason said, adding that genre categories and major Grammy fields remain open to all eligible musicians.

BTS’ decision comes after a major comeback year for the group. The band released its album “ARIRANG” in March 2026 after completing mandatory military service commitments. The album achieved major international success, spending two weeks at the top of the Billboard 200 chart and setting a new milestone for a K-pop act.

Over the past decade, BTS has become one of the biggest names in global entertainment, breaking language barriers and helping Korean music gain mainstream acceptance worldwide.

The group, consisting of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook, has previously received multiple Grammy nominations and has repeatedly pushed for greater recognition of K-pop within the academy’s major award categories.