Global K pop group BTS have announced they will not submit their music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards, saying they hope music will be judged on its artistic merit rather than by language or region.
In coordinated posts shared on their individual Instagram Stories, all seven members of the group confirmed the decision.
“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. Thank you to ARMY and everyone who is always with us.”
The announcement comes despite expectations that BTS would be strong contenders at the upcoming awards following the commercial success of their comeback album Arirang. The record has become one of the year’s best selling releases, while its lead single, Swim, reached No. 1 on the U.S. charts.
Industry observers had predicted nominations in major categories including Album of the Year and Song of the Year. However, the predominantly English language lyrics of Swim would not qualify for the Recording Academy’s newly introduced Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, which requires entries to make “meaningful use” of an Asian language.
The new category has drawn mixed reactions from fans and industry figures, with some arguing that it risks separating Asian artists from mainstream competition rather than promoting greater inclusion.
BTS’ statement appeared to reference those concerns by emphasizing that music should not be judged according to “region or language.”
Formed in 2013, BTS became the first K pop group to receive a Grammy nomination in 2021 for Dynamite, their first all English single. Since then, they have earned multiple Grammy nominations, including for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Music Video, but have yet to win an award.
The group has also performed on the Grammy stage several times, while all seven members have been voting members of the Recording Academy since 2019.
The Recording Academy has not publicly responded to BTS’ decision.
The move places BTS alongside several high profile artists who have previously criticized or boycotted the Grammy Awards, including The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, Drake, Morgan Wallen, and Will Smith, citing concerns over fairness, representation, or the awards process.
The Grammys have recently sought to strengthen Asian representation by expanding their voting membership to include more K pop artists and producers. The most recent ceremony also featured nominations for BLACKPINK member Rosé and the song Golden from KPop Demon Hunters, which became the first K-pop song to win a Grammy after receiving Best Song Written for Visual Media.
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