BTS Rejects Grammy Submission Over New Asian Pop Category

BTS Rejects Grammy Submission Over New Asian Pop Category

The seven members of BTS announced in Seoul on August 2 that they will not submit their 2026 album Arirang for the 2027 Grammy Awards, citing concerns over the newly introduced Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, while the Recording Academy defended the award. The group first made the decision public on July 29 via Instagram, saying the regional and language-based categorisation conflicted with their artistic vision. Recording Academy chief Harvey Mason Jr.

later commented, emphasizing that the new category was intended to recognize Asian pop talent. The Academy unveiled the category in early July, prompting BTS’s refusal to enter the competition.

Actors

BTS Recording Academy

Locations

South Korea

Articles

August 02, 2026
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BTS Declines Grammy Submission Over New Asian Pop Category
BTS Declines Grammy Submission Over New Asian Pop Category

Forbes • 02 Aug 14:47

The South Korean group BTS announced it will not submit its latest album for the 2027 Grammy Awards, rejecting the newly created Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, prompting a response from Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr.

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July 31, 2026
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BTS Declines Grammy Submission After New Asian Pop Category Introduced
BTS Declines Grammy Submission After New Asian Pop Category Introduced

Rolling Stone • 31 Jul 17:42

The seven members of BTS announced they will not submit an album for Grammy consideration, citing concerns over a region-specific category, while the Recording Academy defended the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance award.

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BTS opts out of 2027 Grammy submissions as Recording Academy unveils Best Asian Pop Music Performance category
BTS opts out of 2027 Grammy submissions as Recording Academy unveils Best Asian Pop Music Performance category

Billboard • 31 Jul 16:52

The South Korean group BTS announced it will not submit its album ARIRANG for the 2027 Grammy Awards, a decision that coincides with the Academy's new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category.

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July 30, 2026
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Recording Academy chief comments on BTS decision to skip Grammy submissions
Recording Academy chief comments on BTS decision to skip Grammy submissions

AP News • 30 Jul 14:23

BTS announced they will not submit their upcoming album for the 2027 Grammy Awards, and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. responded, emphasizing the purpose of the new Asian Pop category.

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July 29, 2026
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BTS decides not to submit 'Arirang' for 2027 Grammy Awards
BTS decides not to submit 'Arirang' for 2027 Grammy Awards

rollingstone.com • 29 Jul 16:01

The South Korean group announced it will not enter its comeback album 'Arirang' for Grammy consideration, referencing the new Asian pop category and a preference for music to be judged on its own merits.

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BTS Declines to Submit 'Arirang' Album for 2027 Grammy Consideration
BTS Declines to Submit 'Arirang' Album for 2027 Grammy Consideration

Billboard • 29 Jul 13:05

All seven members of BTS announced they will not enter songs from their 2026 album Arirang for the 2027 Grammy Awards, citing concerns over regional and language-based categorization.

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BTS Announces It Will Not Enter 2027 Grammy Consideration
BTS Announces It Will Not Enter 2027 Grammy Consideration

The Hollywood Reporter • 29 Jul 06:23

The South Korean boy band said via Instagram it will not submit entries for the 2027 Grammy Awards, despite the introduction of a new Asian pop category.

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