BTS Opt Out of the 2027 Grammys: Why the Group Will Not Submit ARIRANG for Consideration
BTS will not submit their songs for consideration for the 2027 Grammy Awards. The decision comes shortly after the Recording Academy announced the creation of a new category, Best Asian Pop Music Performance, dedicated to Asian pop music, including K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop. The members of BTS explained their decision by saying that they want their music to be perceived first and foremost as music, rather than being classified according to region or language.
All seven members of BTS announced their decision not to take part in the current Grammy Awards process. However, it is important to clarify the wording: this is a decision not to submit music for consideration for the awards, not an official announcement that the group will skip the ceremony. Therefore, saying that BTS is completely boycotting the 2027 Grammys would be premature at this point.
The members accompanied their decision with a brief message to their fans. The musicians said they want their work to be “heard and loved” for the music itself, rather than being divided according to regional or linguistic criteria. At the end of the statement, the group specifically thanked ARMY and everyone who continues to support them.
The announcement came after the Recording Academy introduced a new category for the 2027 Grammys: Best Asian Pop Music Performance. The award is part of the Pop & Dance/Electronic Field and is intended for vocal singles and tracks representing Asian pop music. In its official description, the Academy lists K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop as examples of styles that may be eligible for the award. In addition, the recording must feature substantial use of one or more Asian languages; recordings performed entirely in English are not eligible for this category.
The Recording Academy announced the new category on June 16. In total, five new categories were introduced for the 69th Grammy Awards. In addition to Best Asian Pop Music Performance, new awards were created for R& B collaborations or performances by duos and groups, traditional pop vocal performance, traditional folk albums, and Latin songs. The Academy said the changes are intended to reflect the evolution of the music industry and expand recognition for different genres and artistic expressions.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. has also spoken about the growing influence of Asian pop music on the international music industry. According to his comments, K-pop, J-pop, and Mandopop have become genres with such significant reach and influence that their presence should now be specifically reflected in the awards system. The Academy also emphasizes that, in the new category, the determining factor is musical style rather than an artist’s nationality or ethnic background.
Against this backdrop, BTS’ decision is particularly notable: the group has fully resumed group activities following a period of hiatus, released its new album ARIRANG, and achieved major results on international charts — yet has chosen not to submit its recordings for consideration for the 2027 Grammys at this particular moment.
ARIRANG was released in March 2026 and became BTS’ fifth studio album. According to Yonhap, the record became the first album by a K-pop artist to spend three consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200. At the end of July, the release returned to the Top 10, rising from No. 26 to No. 9 in the latest chart update. The increase was attributed in part to higher sales following the release of a special vinyl edition of the album featuring two additional tracks: Voice Message: Love Song and Normal.
That same month, BTS were at the center of another major international event. As Yonhap reported, citing Billboard, the group became one of the headliners of the first-ever halftime show at the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. During their performance, the musicians performed Dynamite, one of their biggest hits, originally released in 2020.
For that reason, BTS’ current decision is particularly significant when viewed in the context of the group’s history with the Grammys. The musicians have previously received nominations from the Recording Academy, and those nominations represented important milestones in the international recognition of K-pop. However, the group has yet to win in any of the categories in which it has been nominated.
BTS have now voluntarily decided not to enter the competition for the 2027 Grammys. As a result, the new album ARIRANG will not be submitted by the group for consideration by the Academy during the current awards season.
Meanwhile, the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category will remain part of the awards. According to the Recording Academy’s rules, the honor will recognize artists for their artistic achievements in Asian pop music. The Academy also notes that the Asian pop scene has become a globally recognized phenomenon, combining music, stage performance, and visual elements.
There is also an important practical detail surrounding the situation. The 2027 Grammys will be the 69th edition of the awards. The ceremony will take place on February 7, 2027, in Los Angeles, with the broadcast available on ABC, Disney+, and Hulu. It will be at this ceremony that the Best Asian Pop Music Performance award is presented for the first time.
For now, it remains unclear how BTS’ decision will affect the broader discussion surrounding the new category. The group has not provided an extensive explanation of its position, nor has it announced any permanent withdrawal from the Grammys. The musicians have simply made their position regarding the current awards season clear: BTS will not submit their music for consideration for the 2027 awards.
For the group, this marks an unusual turn. Following their major comeback with ARIRANG, their renewed success on the Billboard 200, and another period of intense international attention, BTS had the opportunity to compete once again for one of the most prestigious honors in the U.S. music industry. This time, however, the artists have chosen not to do so and will remain outside the awards consideration process.
As a result, the story of BTS and the 2027 Grammys does not currently appear to represent a definitive break between the group and the awards, but rather a firm decision to sit out this edition. Now, the attention of fans and the music industry will be focused not only on the list of 2027 Grammy nominees, but also on the place Asian pop music will ultimately occupy within the awards’ new category structure.
