Archive · 5 Aug 2026
BTS boycott Grammys over new Best Asian Pop category
BTS is a very famous music group from South Korea that people all over the world love.
The Grammy Awards are big music prizes that celebrate the best songs and albums.
The Grammy people decided to make a new prize just for Asian pop music.
BTS did not like this idea.
They said music should not be divided by region or language.
So they said they would not enter their new album, called Arirang, in the 2027 Grammys.
The Grammy people said the new prize is meant to celebrate more Asian artists, not to separate anyone.
Some people think BTS is right, while others think they are making a mistake.
Interestingly, Arirang is mostly in English, so it could not even be entered in the new Asian prize anyway.
BTS decided not to submit their new album 'Arirang' or any of its songs for The Grammys 2027.
The decision came six days after the Recording Academy introduced the Best Asian Pop category.
All seven members posted that they hope music is 'heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.'
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Junior said the category was created 'to celebrate the depth, diversity and extraordinary growth of pop artistry coming out of Asia.'
'Arirang' is largely in English and would not qualify for Best Asian Pop, which requires at least 80 percent of lyrics in an Asian language.
- Who
- BTS, the seven-member South Korean pop group, and the Recording Academy, led by CEO Harvey Mason Junior.
- What
- BTS announced they will not submit their album 'Arirang' or any songs for The Grammys 2027 after the Recording Academy created the Best Asian Pop category.
- When
- Six days after the Recording Academy introduced the Best Asian Pop category for The Grammys 2027.
- Where
- Announced through coordinated posts on Instagram by all seven members, sparking debate across the global music industry.
- Why
- BTS said they hope music is 'heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language,' opposing the new regional category.
BTS and boycott supporters
Recording Academy and category advocates
Purpose of the Best Asian Pop category
BTS and boycott supporters
The category divides music by region and language; BTS hopes music is loved for what it is, not where it comes from.
Recording Academy and category advocates
The category was created to celebrate the depth, diversity and extraordinary growth of Asian pop artistry and to expand recognition by the Academy's 15,000 voters, 'never to divide.'
Separate categories: segregation or inclusion
BTS and boycott supporters
Critics, including BTS fans, see the separate regional category as segregation that signals Asian artists are not part of the mainstream awards.
Recording Academy and category advocates
The category is one of many genre awards (Latin, African, jazz, gospel, Americana) and does not prevent Asian artists from competing for Record, Song or Album of the Year.
Was the boycott justified
BTS and boycott supporters
BTS wants all artists to compete on a level playing field regardless of language, rather than being placed into a regional category.
Recording Academy and category advocates
The article's author calls the boycott shortsighted, noting that since 'Arirang' is largely in English it would not qualify for the new Asian category anyway.
- Artists
- BTS (all seven members)
- Album
- Arirang
- Awards event
- The Grammys 2027
- New category
- Best Asian Pop
- Category eligibility
- At least 80% of lyrics must be in an Asian language
- Recording Academy CEO
- Harvey Mason Junior
- Grammy voters
- 15,000
- BTS's stated reason
- Music should not be divided by region or language