BTS has taken a stand against Asian music discrimination at the Grammy Awards, sparking widespread support both in the U.S. and internationally.
On Wednesday, BTS members RM, Jin, Jimin, Suga, V, Jungkook, and J-Hope announced via their Instagram accounts that it has decided not to submit the work for this year’s Grammy Awards.
They added that it hopes music can be appreciated for its essence, transcending regional and linguistic boundaries, expressing gratitude to their dedicated fanbase, ARMY, and all their supporters.
The Grammy Awards, presented by the Recording Academy, are the most prestigious music accolades in the U.S., the world’s largest music market. Historically, soprano Sumi Jo was the only Korean to clinch a Grammy, winning Best Opera Recording at the 35th ceremony in 1993.
However, K-pop has consistently faced marginalization at the Grammys. Notably, BTS was nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023, aiming to be the first K-pop act to win, but fell short. In February, Rosé and NewJeans were also nominated but didn’t secure wins.
Critics have long decried these Grammy trends as racially discriminatory. Responding to public outcry, the Recording Academy recently announced plans to introduce new categories at the 2027 ceremony, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance, Best R&B Collaboration Performance, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance, Best Traditional Folk Album, and Best Latin Song.
The Best Asian Pop Music Performance category will encompass Asian pop genres, including K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop.
However, some industry insiders worry this move might be a ploy to exclude Asian pop genres from major categories like Song of the Year, Album of the Year, and Record of the Year.
In response, BTS has taken a bold stance by announcing they won’t submit their fifth studio album, Arirang, released in March, for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards.
U.S. fans have rallied behind BTS’s decision, praising it as a courageous move that prioritizes long-term cultural impact over immediate accolades. Many have expressed hope that this will lead to music being evaluated solely on its merits, calling it a necessary stand against cultural supremacy.
International media outlets have also voiced support for BTS’s decision. Billboard, a leading U.S. music publication, criticized the guidelines for the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, arguing it could undermine the Grammys’ credibility.
The UK’s The Guardian noted that while the criticism was subtly expressed, it highlighted the ongoing marginalization of Asian pop artists at American-centric award shows. The Associated Press also covered BTS’s Grammy boycott, reporting on reactions that view the new category as a racialized barrier for Asian musicians.
As both U.S. and international media spotlight BTS’s Grammy boycott, there’s growing scrutiny of the Recording Academy’s introduction of potentially discriminatory award categories. Industry watchers are keenly observing how BTS’s bold stance might reshape the landscape of music recognition in the coming years.
