• BTS will not submit music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards.
• The decision follows the introduction of a Best Asian Pop Music Performance category by the Grammys.
• The group's recent album, "ARIRANG," could not qualify due to its English lyrics.
• BTS's statement emphasized unity in music beyond language and regional categorization.
• Mixed reactions have emerged regarding the Grammys' approach to Asian artists.

The global K-pop sensation BTS announced on Wednesday that they will not submit their music for the upcoming 2027 Grammy Awards, a decision attributed to the Recording Academy's recent introduction of the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category. The band, in a coordinated Instagram post by all seven members, stated, "We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year... I hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language," according to BBC, Bangkok Post, and Reuters.

The decision is significant as it marks the first time BTS has opted out of the awards ceremony in their career. Their latest album "ARIRANG," which has been a commercial success, topped the Billboard 200 after its release on March 20, 2026. However, with over 80% of its lyrics in English, it does not meet the Grammys' new requirement for the Asian Pop category, which specifies that songs must contain "meaningful use" of at least one Asian language, reports Bangkok Post and Reuters.

The introduction of this category has drawn mixed reactions online, with critics arguing that it marginalizes Asian artists by placing them in a separate category instead of integrating them into the mainstream awards structure. This sentiment aligns with BTS's own concerns expressed in their statement regarding the definition of music by region or language, according to BBC and Reuters.