Entertainment · K-Culture & Anime · 1 hr ago
Grammy Category Debate Shifts to K-pop Acts That Submitted
The Recording Academy plans to introduce a Best Asian Pop Music Performance category at the 2027 Grammy Awards in February.
It will cover recordings that make meaningful use of one or more Asian languages, but critics in Korea's music industry fear it could separate K-pop from the main Grammy categories.
BTS said on July 29 that it would not submit its music, arguing that music should not be divided by region or language.
The Academy kept the category on Oct.
1, saying more voices in Asia's music community supported it than opposed it.
The Academy has not named the entrants, but some K-pop acts were reportedly submitted, prompting criticism from fans who view the category as discriminatory.
Others argue that a Grammy could help newer or smaller artists, and the boycott was not a collective industry decision.
Nominations will be announced on Nov.
16, while the Academy faces pressure to show that the category expands recognition rather than confines Asian artists to a separate space.
The debate over the Grammys’ new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category has shifted from the Recording Academy to K-pop acts reportedly submitted for it.
Some fans say competing in the category could reinforce a discriminatory separation of Asian music, while others see a Grammy bid as a practical choice for artists.
The academy has not officially disclosed which acts entered the category.
BTS said on July 29 that it would not submit its music, while JYP Entertainment confirmed Stray Kids had not submitted.
The category is set to debut at the 69th Grammy Awards in February 2027.
- Who
- K-pop acts reportedly submitted for the category, and fans debating those decisions.
- What
- Fans are criticizing some acts for reportedly entering the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category. Others say pursuing a Grammy nomination is practical for artists.
- When
- The debate was reported on Oct. 21, 2026, after the category was confirmed on Oct. 1.
- Where
- The category is part of the Grammy Awards. The debate is taking place in online fan communities.
- Why
- Critics say the category may separate Asian music from the main categories; supporters say a Grammy nomination can benefit artists.
Fans critical of competing in the category
Supporters of artists pursuing a Grammy nomination
Reason for entering
Fans critical of competing in the category
Critics say competing could support a category they view as discriminatory and ask whether artists want to win a racist award.
Supporters of artists pursuing a Grammy nomination
Supporters say pursuing a Grammy nomination is a practical choice that may benefit artists.
Meaning of the category
Fans critical of competing in the category
Critics worry the category will place K-pop in a separate space rather than recognize it in the main categories.
Supporters of artists pursuing a Grammy nomination
Supporters argue that newer or smaller artists may benefit from a Grammy award.
The Recording Academy announced Best Asian Pop Music Performance as one of five new categories for the 69th Grammy Awards.
BTS announced that it would not submit its music for the category.
The academy confirmed that it would keep the category.
JYP Entertainment confirmed that Stray Kids had not submitted.
The Grammy Guru reported that no artists from HYBE, SM, JYP or YG Entertainment had entered the category.
Nominations for the 69th Grammy Awards are scheduled to be announced.
- Category
- Best Asian Pop Music Performance
- Debut
- 69th Grammy Awards in February 2027
- Submissions
- 116, according to Billboard
- BTS decision
- Announced on July 29 that it would not submit its music
- Stray Kids decision
- JYP Entertainment confirmed on Oct. 2 that the group had not submitted
- Nomination announcement
- Nov. 16
What people are saying
we hoped music could be heard and loved for what it is rather than divided by region or language.
a newer or smaller K-pop artist may still benefit enormously from a Grammy award.
has to demonstrate that this category is intended to expand recognition of Asian artists rather than contain them within an 'Asian' space.