BTS announced on July 29 that it will not submit music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards, stating that it hopes music can be appreciated without being divided by region or language. The group shared a joint message across their social media accounts, saying, “We have decided not to submit our music this year, and we hope music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided into region or language. Thank you to ARMY and everyone who is always with us.”

BTS’s Reaction to New Grammy Categories

The decision comes just one month after the Recording Academy announced five new categories for the 2027 Grammy Awards, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance. This category is intended to recognize Asian pop music, including K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop, and requires recordings to feature one or more Asian languages. BTS’s decision appears to be a subtle critique of these new guidelines, particularly the emphasis on regional and linguistic boundaries.

Interestingly, BTS’s recent English-language single “Swim,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, would not qualify for the new Asian Pop Music Performance category. This highlights a potential inconsistency in the Academy’s approach to categorization. BTS’s message implies that the group prefers a more universal standard of recognition, rather than one based on geographic or linguistic criteria.

BTS’s Grammy History and Public Sentiment

BTS has a long and sometimes contentious relationship with the Grammy Awards. Despite becoming one of the most influential pop acts globally, the group has yet to win a Grammy despite multiple nominations. Their 2021 hit “Dynamite” earned them their first nomination, followed by “Butter” (2022) and “My Universe,” a collaboration with Coldplay (2023).

In a 2022 concert in Las Vegas, RM addressed the group’s stance on Grammy recognition, saying, “We didn’t come to Vegas for the Grammys. We came to Vegas for the ARMYs.” This sentiment aligns with the group’s broader philosophy of valuing fan support over institutional validation. Their 2026 comeback was marked by the release of their fifth album, Arirang, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 641,000 units sold, the largest debut for a group in over a decade.

Grammy Academy’s Response and Future Implications

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. presented the new categories as part of an effort to broaden representation at the Grammys, stating, “These changes and expansions give even more people a place for their music to be respected, heard, and evaluated.” Other new categories include Best Latin Song, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance, Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance, and Best Traditional Folk Album.

While the Academy views these changes as a step toward inclusivity, BTS’s decision raises questions about whether such categorizations truly serve the goal of universal recognition. Forbes previously highlighted what it called the “cultural blind spot” of the Recording Academy, noting the lack of recognition for one of the most significant musical phenomena of the decade.

BTS’s public stance is not the first time the group has taken issue with the Grammys. In 2020, the group did not receive any nominations despite a strong year with the album Map of the Soul: Persona, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. This led to discussions about the Academy’s potential biases and the broader cultural reach of K-pop. BTS’s decision in 2027 may reignite that debate, especially as more K-pop artists begin to receive major Grammy nods.