Global K-pop icons BTS have announced their decision to withdraw from the 2027 Grammy Awards. The group’s seven members shared the news via Instagram, stating, “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.” The decision arrives shortly after the Recording Academy introduced a new award category for best Asian pop music performance.
This move is widely interpreted as a critique of the Recording Academy’s latest category additions. When announcing the Asian pop award alongside a new category for best Latin song, Academy president Harvey Mason Jr. described the change as a response to the music community's desire for more opportunities to celebrate “different and new genres.” However, critics argue that the Asian and Latin pop markets are well-established, multi-decade industries with significant global reach. There are ongoing concerns within the Asian pop community that such categories could effectively segregate artists, preventing them from competing in the top-tier Grammy categories.
The Recording Academy has yet to issue a response regarding the group’s withdrawal. While Asian pop artists have historically faced exclusion from the ceremony—with BTS being the first K-pop act to receive a nomination in 2021—the 2026 awards show saw a more notable presence. The song “Golden,” from the film KPop Demon Hunters, won the award for best song written for visual media, marking a historic first for the genre. Additionally, “Golden” and Rosé’s duet with Bruno Mars, “APT,” were both considered for major prizes, though they ultimately did not win.
The new Asian pop category requires “meaningful use” of an Asian language for entry. While tracks like “Golden” and “APT” feature primarily English lyrics and might not have qualified, BTS’s recent album, Arirang, is largely in Korean, making them a clear candidate for the new prize. Alongside the Asian pop category, the 2027 Grammys are introducing awards for best R&B collaboration or duo/group performance, best traditional pop vocal performance, and best traditional folk album. The 2027 ceremony is scheduled for 7 February in Los Angeles.
This year’s Grammys also marked the first time a Spanish language album has won album of the year, with Bad Bunny winning for Debí Tirar Más Fotos.
Other new categories being added for 2027 are best R&B collaboration or duo/group performance, best traditional pop vocal performance and best traditional folk album.
