BTS declines to submit Arirang for 2027 Grammy Awards

The global pop phenomenon BTS announced on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, that it will not submit its latest album for consideration at the upcoming Grammy Awards, a decision the group framed as a stand against categorizing music by language or region. The surprise announcement follows the Recording Academy's recent introduction of a new award category for Asian pop music.

In a unified statement posted to the Instagram accounts of all seven members, the group said it had collectively decided not to enter its blockbuster album "Arirang" for the 69th Grammy Awards, scheduled for February 2027. "We hope music can be heard and loved as music itself, rather than being divided by region or language," the statement read. The group also thanked its global fanbase, known as ARMY, for continued support.

The timing of the decision has drawn significant attention, coming weeks after the Recording Academy unveiled five new Grammy categories, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance, set to debut at the 2027 ceremony. The new category is intended to recognize artistic excellence in Asian pop genres, including K-pop. However, the move has sparked debate within the music industry, with some...