After earning five nominations without a win, BTS has decided not to submit ARIRANG for Grammy consideration this year.
RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook announced that they would not submit their comeback album, ARIRANG, or any of its songs for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards. All seven members shared the same message on Instagram, turning a short statement into a synchronized mic drop.
“We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language,” the group said, while thanking ARMY and everyone who continues to support them.
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The Recording Academy says its new category was meant to celebrate Asian pop
BTS made the announcement a little over a month after the Recording Academy introduced Best Asian Pop Music Performance. The category will recognize tracks from K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and other Asian pop traditions beginning with the 2027 ceremony.
The Academy described Asian pop as a distinct musical movement with an increasingly global reach. Critics, however, questioned whether placing music from an entire continent under one label would create another barrier between Asian artists and the Grammys’ major awards.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said he was saddened by BTS’ decision but respected it. He also clarified that the new category does not stop an artist from competing for awards such as Album, Song, or Record of the Year. According to the Academy, the category was created to expand recognition, not limit it.
That explanation may be technically correct, but it does not completely answer the concern. A separate category can offer overdue recognition while quietly becoming the only place voters look for Asian acts.
ARMY called it a “boss move”
Across fan communities, the dominant response was pride. ARMYs described BTS’ withdrawal as a “boss move,” a show of integrity, and proof that the group no longer needs approval from an institution that has repeatedly nominated but never awarded them.
Some fans proposed skipping the Grammy broadcast entirely and holding BTS streaming parties instead. Others argued that global sales, sold-out stadiums, chart records, and a devoted international audience already say more about the group’s impact than one gold-plated trophy.
There were dissenting opinions, too. Some listeners said the new category could give Asian musicians valuable visibility and noted that entering it would not exclude BTS from the general field. The online debate shows why the issue is more complicated than a simple fight between one group and an awards show.
“We have decided not to submit our music 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. Thank you to ARMY and everyone who always stands by us.”
This decision raises a bigger question about the Grammys
BTS has received five Grammy nominations but has yet to win. The group’s success has also helped K-pop reach a much wider international audience. With ARIRANG marking its return after the members completed their military service, the album could have been a major contender during the next awards season.
The Recording Academy says its new Asian pop category will give music from the region greater recognition. The Academy has clarified that artists may still submit their work for awards such as Album, Song, and Record of the Year.
BTS did not directly identify the new category as the reason for its decision. However, the group’s statement about music being divided by “region or language” has prompted a wider discussion about how international artists should be classified at major Western awards shows.
Whether the decision changes the Grammys’ approach remains to be seen. For now, it reflects BTS’ choice to step away from this year’s process while encouraging listeners to consider music beyond nationality and language.
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