BTS pulls out of Grammys after Asian pop category introduction
SEOUL, South Korea — Global K-pop sensation BTS said on Wednesday they will not submit their music for next year's Grammy Awards, following the Recording Academy's introduction of new categories that include the Best Asian Pop Music Performance.
The South Korean megastars had been widely tipped to be in the running for several of the Grammys' top honors, including Album of the Year, after their comeback album, "ARIRANG," became one of this year's best-selling hits.
"We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year," BTS members said in coordinated posts on their individual Instagram accounts. "We hope that music is heard and loved for what it is, rather than being defined by region or language."
BTS is the first all-South Korean act to reign over Billboard's US top singles chart, which they achieved with their 2020 track "Dynamite," their first hit sung completely in English.
Despite performing at the Grammys and earning several nominations, including for Best Music Video, the group has never won.
"ARIRANG," named after a South Korean folk song, includes extensive English lyrics and explores themes that include Korean identity following the band's hiatus for mandatory military service.
However, it would not have qualified for the Grammys' new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, among five new categories announced last month, because it requires entries to make "meaningful use" of at least one Asian language.
The Recording Academy said the new award aims to honor "artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including but not limited to K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop."
It drew mixed reactions online, with some critics saying it boxes Asian artists into a separate category instead of recognizing them alongside global peers.
Grammy response
Hours after the coordinated posts of Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, the Grammys chief executive officer Harvey Mason Jr. released a statement "saddened... but understanding and respecting" the group's decision.
Mason also clarified the new Asian Pop Music Performance category "was created to celebrate the depth, diversity and extraordinary growth of pop artistry coming out of Asia" and "shine a dedicated spotlight on these important artists."
He added that "more categories mean more artists' work is recognized" hence new categories aren't to divide but expand recognition across the Recording Academy's 15,000 voter population.
The executive reiterated that submissions in genre categories like Asian Pop or Country doesn't exclude artists from consideration in General Field categories — Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Producer of the Year (Non-Classical), Songwriter of the Year (Non-Classical) and Best New Artist.
"Those categories remain open to any eligible recording, regardless of genre," Mason continued. "Recognition in a genre category and recognition in the General Field are not mutually exclusive. An artist can absolutely pursue both."
Mason closed the statement, assuring the public that the Grammys were present to "serve music and all the people who make it."
"As we continue to expand the reach, our membership and our awards, regardless of geography or language, I want to emphasize that we will continue to listen to the global music community and work to honor and celebrate all the artists whose music moves the world," he ended.
The 69th Grammy Awards will honor music released between August 31, 2025, to August 28, 2026. Nominations will be announced this November 16 ahead of the ceremony on February 7 next year. — with reports from Kristofer Purnell for Philstar.com
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