BTS decides not to submit 'Arirang' for 2027 Grammy Awards
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.
South Korean pop group BTS announced on July 29 that it will not submit its comeback album "Arirang" for the 2027 Grammy Awards. The decision was shared through individual Instagram Story posts and a translated statement from the group.
"We decided not to participate in the Grammys this year," the band said, adding that they hope music can be heard and loved without being divided by region or language.
The move follows the Recording Academy’s recent addition of a Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, which recognizes performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including K-pop, J-pop and C-pop. Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. described Asian pop as “one of the most significant and sustained forces in the global music industry” and said the Academy will continue to explore ways to recognize creators in the broader Asian music community.
BTS has received five Grammy nominations over the past five years, including nods for "Dynamite" and "Butter" in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category and a 2023 Album of the Year nomination as featured guests on Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres. The group’s decision not to enter the 2027 awards comes as the entry period runs from July 7 to August 21, with voting scheduled to begin on October 12.