Grammys Asian Pop category: why BTS and Stray Kids sat out
Two of the biggest K-pop acts will not be in the running at the 2027 Grammys. BTS said in July that they would not submit their album "Arirang", and on October 2 Stray Kids' label confirmed the group did not submit anything either. Both moves follow the Recording Academy's new Best Asian Pop Music Performance award, which many fans see as a way to keep Asian acts in their own corner.
Who is sitting out
| Artist | What happened |
|---|---|
| BTS | End of July 2026: all seven members posted the same statement saying they had "decided not to submit for Grammy consideration this year". Their album "Arirang" and its songs are out of the running. (NPR) |
| Stray Kids | October 2, 2026: JYP Entertainment confirmed the group did not submit for the Grammys. It gave no reason. (NME) |
We will add other artists here if they confirm the same.
What the new category is
The Recording Academy announced it on June 16, 2026 as one of five new awards. It covers Asian pop "including but not limited to K-pop, J-pop and C-pop", and the song must make "meaningful use of one or more Asian languages". According to the rulebook, a few words or ad-libs in an Asian language are not enough, and songs sung entirely in English by Asian artists compete in the other categories instead (summary on Wikipedia).
Why fans and artists object
Critics, NME among them, say a separate award boxes Asian pop into a niche and makes it easier for voters to overlook it in the main pop categories and the top awards. BTS put it more gently: "We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language."
The history explains the frustration. BTS were nominated three times in the regular Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category, for "Dynamite", "Butter" and "My Universe", and did not win.
What the Grammys say
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said he was "saddened" by BTS's choice but could "understand and respect" it, and that the award was meant to spotlight Asian artists, "never to divide". Entering the Asian Pop category does not stop an artist from also entering Record, Album or Song of the Year (Far Out).
On October 1 he confirmed the category will be awarded in 2027 anyway. "By far, the loudest feedback we heard was from people who were enthusiastic supporters of the category," he said (Rolling Stone).
What happens next
- Nominations: November 16, 2026
- Ceremony: February 7, 2027, live on ABC, Disney+ and Hulu
- Watch for: which acts end up nominated for the first Best Asian Pop Music Performance, and whether more artists confirm they sat out
Sources
- Recording Academy: Five new categories and rule updates take effect for 2027 Grammys
- NPR: BTS won't submit their new music for 2027 Grammy consideration
- NME: Stray Kids join BTS in boycotting 2027 Grammys
- Rolling Stone: Best Asian Pop Music Performance category to debut in 2027 despite controversy
- Wikipedia: 69th Annual Grammy Awards (dates)
