BTS rejects Grammy submissions, saying music should transcend language and region

BTS, one of the biggest acts in the world, has turned its back on the Grammy Awards.

The group announced Monday via social media that it will not submit its fifth studio album "Arirang" or any of its tracks for consideration at the 69th Grammy Awards next year. "We hope music is heard and loved as music itself, rather than being divided by region or language," the group said in a brief statement.

The immediate trigger was the Recording Academy's announcement last month of a new category: Best Asian Pop Music Performance. Targeting K-pop, J-pop, C-pop and similar genres, the category sparked debate from the moment it was unveiled, with critics questioning whether it represented inclusion or segregation.

The category was created to honor excellence in Asian pop music — defined as works that meaningfully incorporate one or more Asian languages, including Korean, Japanese and Chinese, and are either created by artists of Asian origin or recognized within Asian markets.

The Recording Academy said it established the category in recognition of Asian pop music's growing influence on the global music industry.

Critics pushed back sharply, however, arguing that lumping Korean, Japanese and Chinese music together under the geographic and racial umbrella of "Asia" reflects a Western pop-centric worldview that ignores the distinct identity of each tradition.

The Grammys have long been considered the ultimate prize for pop musicians, but BTS's move signals that the group has no interest in chasing American trophies — and with good reason. "Arirang" debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and the Billboard 200 albums chart simultaneously, posting dominant results across the world's major music markets. The album currently sits at No. 9 on the Billboard 200.

At its core, BTS's Grammy boycott is a challenge to the way music is categorized. It echoes The Weeknd's 2021 decision to stop submitting his work after "Blinding Lights" — a global phenomenon — failed to earn a nomination, prompting him to declare that "the Grammys are corrupt." That protest eventually led to discussions about reforming the voting system. BTS's declaration now poses a similar question: by what standard should the Grammys measure global music?

K-pop has consistently knocked on the Grammy door, with BTS leading the charge. At the 68th Grammy Awards in February, the soundtrack "Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters won Best Song Written for Visual Media. Rosé's "APT." — a wide hit recorded with Bruno Mars — went home empty-handed.

BTS first appeared at the Grammy Awards in 2019 as presenters for the Best R&B Album category, then became the first K-pop act to perform on the Grammy stage, joining Lil Nas X for a joint performance. From 2021, the group received three consecutive nominations in categories including Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, but never took home a trophy.