The globally renowned K-pop group BTS announced on Wednesday that they will not submit their music for the upcoming 2027 Grammy Awards due to concerns regarding category divisions. The group expressed their hope that music should be appreciated for its own intrinsic value, without being divided by region or language.
Each of the seven members – RM, Jimin, V, Suga, Jungkook, Jin, and J-Hope – shared the same statement on their individual Instagram accounts, explaining their collective decision. ‘We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year,’ their statement read. ‘We hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.’
The Recording Academy, responsible for the Grammy Awards, did not immediately respond to requests for comments. The new categorization rules may have impacted BTS’s recent work, particularly their lead single ‘Swim’ from the album ‘Arirang,’ which was highly successful and a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit. The group was anticipated to secure nominations for major categories at the 69th Grammy Awards, such as album of the year.
Recently, the Recording Academy introduced five new award categories, including best Asian pop music performance. These categories were proposed to enhance inclusivity. However, BTS’s ‘Swim’ might have faced exclusion under these new terms, as the track is predominantly in English. Grammy rules for the new category require that a significant portion of a song must feature an Asian language to qualify.
BTS, an influential and record-breaking band since its formation in 2013, has previously participated in Grammy ceremonies and was the first K-pop act to earn a Grammy nomination, despite not yet securing a win. Known as ‘Bangtan Sonyeondan’ in Korean, the group’s name translates to ‘Bulletproof Boy Scouts.’
Their robust global fanbase, known as Army, recently supported BTS during their performance in the U.S. at the World Cup final’s halftime show. The band expressed their gratitude towards their fans, stating, ‘Thank you to Army and everyone who is always with us.’
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