BTS Grammy Boycott 2027: Why BTS Won’t Submit ARIRANG
BTS has decided not to submit its music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards, creating one of the biggest conversations around the upcoming ceremony.
On July 29, 2026, all seven BTS members shared the same message on their individual Instagram accounts, saying they had decided not to enter the Grammys that year. Their statement focused on the idea that music should be heard and appreciated beyond regional or language divisions.
The decision came shortly after the Recording Academy announced a new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category for the 69th Grammy Awards.
For ARMY and the wider music industry, the announcement has raised an important question: Why would BTS choose not to submit music for one of the world's biggest music awards at a time when the group is back at the centre of global music?
Here is what we know.
What Did BTS Announce?
BTS announced that they would not submit their music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards.
All seven members — RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook — shared the same statement through their individual Instagram accounts.
Their message did not provide a long explanation or list specific demands. Instead, the members expressed their hope that music could be heard and loved for what it is rather than being divided by region or language.
That wording became the centre of the discussion surrounding their decision.
Why Did BTS Decide Not to Submit?
The announcement followed the Recording Academy's introduction of a new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category.
The category was announced on June 16, 2026, as one of five new Grammy categories for the 2027 ceremony. According to the Recording Academy, it recognizes excellence in Asian pop music performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including K-pop, J-pop and C-pop, with meaningful use of one or more Asian languages.
The timing of the new category and BTS's announcement led to widespread discussion about whether Asian artists should be placed into a separate regional category or evaluated across the Grammys' broader fields.
BTS did not explicitly say that the new category was the sole reason for their decision. However, the close timing and the wording of their statement made the connection a major part of the public conversation.
What Is the New Best Asian Pop Music Performance Category?
The Recording Academy introduced the category as part of its changes for the 69th Grammy Awards.
The official description says the category recognizes artistic excellence in Asian pop performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets. It specifically mentions K-pop, J-pop and C-pop and includes a requirement for meaningful use of one or more Asian languages.
The Academy has presented the category as an expansion of recognition for music from Asian markets.
At the same time, some fans and observers questioned whether creating a separate category could unintentionally create another boundary around Asian music rather than encouraging artists to compete across the wider Grammy categories.
That debate became even more significant after BTS announced its decision.
How Did the Recording Academy Respond?
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. responded to BTS's decision by saying he was saddened by it while respecting the group's choice. He also defended the purpose of the new category, explaining that it was intended to recognize the growth and diversity of music coming from Asia.
The Academy has also emphasized that artists competing in genre-specific categories can still be considered for the Grammys' broader General Field categories.
This distinction is important because the discussion is not simply about whether Asian artists can receive Grammy recognition. It is also about how that recognition is structured.
What About BTS's Album ARIRANG?
BTS's decision comes during a major period for the group.
The group returned as a full seven-member act in 2026 following the completion of the members' mandatory military service, with ARIRANG becoming a major part of their comeback. Multiple reports identified the album as a major global success and a central reason why BTS was expected to be part of the 2027 Grammy conversation.
That makes the decision particularly notable.
Rather than waiting to see whether ARIRANG would receive Grammy consideration, BTS chose not to enter its music for consideration in the first place.
Has BTS Ever Won a Grammy?
No.
BTS has received multiple Grammy nominations but has not won a Grammy Award. The group became the first K-pop act nominated for a Grammy and subsequently appeared in several Grammy nomination cycles.
Their relationship with the Grammys has therefore been significant for both BTS and the global growth of K-pop.
Their decision not to submit music for 2027 represents a major change from that history.
Is BTS Completely Leaving the Grammys?
The announcement means BTS will not submit music for consideration for the 2027 Grammy Awards.
It does not mean that BTS has permanently rejected the Grammys or announced that it will never participate again.
That distinction matters.
The 2027 Grammy Awards are scheduled for February 7, 2027, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Recording Academy has announced November 16, 2026 as the date for revealing the nominations.
What Happens Next?
The Grammy conversation is still developing.
The Recording Academy's official 2027 Grammy schedule shows that the Online Entry Period ran from July 7 through August 21, 2026, followed by First Round Voting in October. Nominations are scheduled to be announced on November 16.
Meanwhile, the Academy has faced continued discussion around the new Asian Pop category.
On August 14, Harvey Mason Jr. said the Academy was reconsidering the category after consulting with artists, labels and industry representatives across Asian music markets.
That means the story may continue to develop before the 2027 nominations are announced.
What Does This Mean for K-Pop?
The significance of BTS's decision goes beyond one group.
K-pop has become a global music phenomenon, with artists from South Korea regularly reaching audiences far beyond Asia. BTS's own career has played a major role in that international expansion.
The debate surrounding the new category raises a broader question:
Should music be evaluated primarily by where it comes from, what language it uses, or by the music itself?
There is no simple answer, and the Recording Academy's new category was created with the stated goal of expanding recognition. But BTS's decision has brought renewed attention to how global music is represented within major award systems.
What Does This Mean for ARMY?
For ARMY, the announcement is about more than a Grammy nomination.
BTS has spent years building an international audience while crossing language and cultural boundaries. Their statement reflects that history: music can connect people without needing to be separated by geography or language.
Whether fans agree with the decision or not, BTS has made its position clear for the 2027 Grammy submission cycle.
And the conversation around Asian music at the Grammys is likely to continue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did BTS boycott the 2027 Grammys?
BTS announced that it would not submit its music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards. “Boycott” is commonly used by media and fans to describe the decision, but the group's official statement specifically concerned not entering/submitting music for Grammy consideration.
Why is BTS not submitting music to the 2027 Grammys?
The decision came after the Recording Academy introduced the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category. BTS's statement emphasized that music should be heard and appreciated beyond regional or language divisions. The group did not explicitly state that the new category was the sole reason for its decision.
What is the new Asian Pop Grammy category?
It is a new category for the 69th Grammy Awards recognizing artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances, including K-pop, J-pop and C-pop, with meaningful use of one or more Asian languages.
Has BTS ever won a Grammy?
No. BTS has received Grammy nominations but has not won a Grammy Award.
When are the 2027 Grammys?
The 69th Grammy Awards are scheduled for February 7, 2027, in Los Angeles. The nominations are scheduled to be announced on November 16, 2026.
Final Takeaway
BTS's decision not to submit music for the 2027 Grammys has opened a much larger conversation about how Asian music is represented on the world's biggest music stages.
For BTS, the message is straightforward: music should be appreciated for what it is, rather than being separated by region or language.
For the Recording Academy, the introduction of the new Asian Pop category has created an opportunity to reconsider how global music is recognized.
And for ARMY, it is another chapter in BTS's continuing journey across borders, languages and cultures.
One thing is certain: the conversation around BTS, K-pop and the Grammys is far from over. 💜