K-pop supergroup BTS has announced that it will not submit its music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards, saying music should be appreciated without being judged by region or language.
The announcement was made through identical posts shared on the Instagram accounts of all seven members — RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook.
“We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year. I hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language,” the group’s statement read.
The decision comes despite expectations that BTS would be strong contenders in several major Grammy categories following the commercial 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.
However, the song would not have qualified for the newly introduced Best Asian Pop Music Performance category because Grammy rules require entries to contain “meaningful use” of an Asian language. More than 80% of the lyrics on Arirang are in English.
The introduction of the new category sparked mixed reactions among K-pop fans, with some arguing it unfairly separates Asian artists instead of recognising them alongside the global mainstream.
By referencing both “region” and “language” in their statement, BTS appeared to echo those concerns.
The group ended its message by thanking fans, known collectively as ARMY, for their continued support.
The Recording Academy, which organises the Grammy Awards, has not commented on BTS’ decision.
Since debuting in 2013, BTS has become one of the world’s biggest music acts. The group earned its first Grammy nomination in 2021 for Dynamite, becoming the first K-pop group to receive a Grammy nomination.
Although BTS has received several Grammy nominations and performed at the awards ceremony multiple times, the group has yet to win a Grammy.
The band’s decision places it alongside several other artists, including The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, Drake, Morgan Wallen and Will Smith, who have previously criticised or boycotted the Grammy Awards over concerns about fairness and representation.
In recent years, the Recording Academy has expanded its voting membership to include more Korean artists and producers, while also recognising K-pop acts with higher-profile nominations. Earlier this year, Golden from KPop Demon Hunters became the first K-pop song to win a Grammy after taking Best Song Written for Visual Media, although it too would not have qualified for the new Asian pop category because it is predominantly sung in English.
