Korean band BTS has announced a boycott of the 2027 Grammys — CNN
The South Korean group BTS has decided not to submit their work for the 2027 Grammy Awards. The reason was the Recording Academy’s decision to introduce a new category—“Asian Pop Performance.”
In a statement posted on Instagram by all seven members of the group, BTS noted that they would not be submitting entries for this year’s awards.
“We hope that music will be listened to and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language,” the musicians emphasized.
Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, said he respects the group’s decision, though he regrets it. According to him, the new category was created to recognize the growth and diversity of pop music originating in Asia, and artists may also submit entries in general categories, including “Record of the Year.”
At the same time, according to the awards’ rules, the same song can be nominated in only one performance category. This means that a song submitted in the “Asian Pop Performance” category can no longer be simultaneously nominated, for example, in the “Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group” category.
The Academy’s decision has sparked a mixed reaction among BTS fans. Some fans believe that a separate category for Asian artists effectively excludes them from competing in the major categories and creates an additional division based on region.
At the same time, similar regional categories already exist at the Grammys—specifically for Latin and African music.
BTS returned to active music-making in the spring of 2026 after a four-year hiatus due to all members completing their mandatory military service in South Korea. Their album *Arirang* debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and topped the charts in 23 countries.
CNN reported this.
As a reminder, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, attended a concert by the South Korean group BTS on July 17. During the performance, France’s first lady sang along to the songs and danced, and videos of the couple quickly went viral on social media.
Ukrainian director Tanyu Muino directed the new music video for South Korean group BTS’s song “Normal.” This is her second consecutive project for the group.
