BTS withdraw from Grammys, a month after Asian pop prize introduced

K-pop supergroup BTS announced on Wednesday that they will not submit their music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards, saying music should be appreciated "for what it is" rather than being judged by region or language.

The seven-member group made the announcement in a coordinated Instagram post, with RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook all sharing the same statement.

"We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year," the translated statement said. "I hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language."

The decision comes despite expectations that BTS would be strong contenders in several major Grammy categories following the success of their comeback album Arirang, one of the year's best-selling records.

Its lead single Swim, which topped the US charts, had also been tipped as a potential nominee for Song of the Year.

The group's announcement follows the Recording Academy's introduction of a new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category. Under Grammy rules, eligible songs must feature "meaningful use" of an Asian language. As more than 80% of Arirang's lyrics are in English, Swim would not have qualified for the new award.

The introduction of the category sparked mixed reactions among K-pop fans, with some arguing it risked categorising Asian artists by language rather than allowing them to compete equally in mainstream categories.

By referring to both "region" and "language" in their statement, BTS appeared to echo those concerns.

The group thanked its global fanbase, known as the BTS Army, for its continued support.

"Thank you to Army and everyone who is always with us," the statement concluded.

The Recording Academy has not yet commented on the announcement.

Formed in 2013, BTS have become one of the world's most successful music acts. They made history in 2021 as the first K-pop group to receive a Grammy nomination with Dynamite, their first all-English single.

The group has since earned four additional Grammy nominations and performed at the awards ceremony on several occasions, but has yet to win a Grammy.

Their decision places them alongside other artists who have publicly distanced themselves from the awards, including The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, Drake, Morgan Wallen and Will Smith.