Cover BTS’s decision not to submit for the 69th Grammys highlights a larger question facing global music: how should international artists be recognised in an increasingly borderless industry? (Photo: @bts.bighitofficial/Instagram)
BTS’s decision not to submit for the 69th Grammys highlights a larger question facing global music: how should international artists be recognised in an increasingly borderless industry? (Photo: @bts.bighitofficial/Instagram)
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BTS say music should be judged on its own terms, not divided by region or language— here is the story behind the septet’s decision not to submit for the 69th Grammys
For a group that has spent years pursuing recognition from the Recording Academy, BTS’s decision is significant. RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook have spoken openly about the Grammys as a career milestone, while their previous nominations marked some of the biggest moments for a K-pop act on the global awards stage.
So when all seven members shared the same message announcing they would not submit their work for the 2027 Grammys, the move sparked immediate discussion among fans and the music industry. The decision comes at a time when the Recording Academy is expanding its recognition of Asian music, introducing a new category dedicated to Asian pop—a development that has raised questions about how global artists are classified and celebrated.
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What did BTS say about the Grammys?
Above BTS share a united statement across all seven member accounts announcing their decision (Photo: @jin/Instagram)
BTS share a united statement across all seven member accounts announcing their decision (Photo: @jin/Instagram)
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In coordinated Instagram Story posts, the members said they had decided not to submit their music for consideration this year. They expressed their hope that music would be “heard and loved as music itself, rather than being divided by region or language”, while thanking ARMY for their continued support.
The statement was brief and direct, with no additional explanation from the group or their label. Its timing, however, prompted a greater conversation about representation, categories and the place of non-English music within major Western awards.
Why is the decision happening now?
The announcement follows the Recording Academy’s introduction of several new categories, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance. The category is intended to recognise a growing field of artists across markets including K-pop, J-pop and C-pop, but its creation has also prompted debate.
Some observers have questioned whether regional categories provide greater visibility for Asian artists or risk creating separate lanes that limit their chances of competing across broader award categories. BTS’s statement reflects a long-running discussion in global pop: whether artists should be recognised within specific cultural categories or judged on the same terms as any other international act.
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BTS and the Grammys: years of nominations without a win
BTS have been nominated three times for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, for songs including Dynamite, Butter and My Universe. Despite those nominations, the group has yet to win a Grammy.
The repeated recognition without a victory has fuelled disappointment among some fans, who have questioned whether BTS’s commercial impact and influence have been fully reflected by the awards results. Others view the nominations themselves as evidence of how far K-pop has travelled on the global stage.
Why BTS’s influence extends beyond the Grammys
Whatever the outcome of awards consideration, BTS’s influence has long extended beyond the Grammys. The group has achieved record-breaking album sales, stadium tours and chart success, helping transform K-pop into one of the defining forces in global pop. Their decision not to submit follows years of Grammy nominations, but also comes from a position of unprecedented commercial and cultural influence.
What does this mean for K-pop and Asian artists at the Grammys?
BTS’s decision has also added momentum to the conversation about how international artists are recognised by major Western awards. The Recording Academy’s new Asian pop category has prompted debate over whether regional categories create greater visibility or risk separating Asian artists from the general field. Coming from BTS, one of the world’s biggest music groups, the decision is likely to keep that debate in the spotlight well beyond the awards cycle.
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After more than a decade in lifestyle media, Clifford has mastered the art of writing seriously about things that are fun—and writing fun things about people who take themselves very seriously. At Tatler Asia, he helped steer its flagship lists, Tatler’s Most Influential and Asia’s Most Stylish. And today, he leads T-Labs, Tatler Asia’s content innovation hub, where he continues the noble pursuit of lifestyle storytelling, spinning stories on wealth, entertainment, necessary style, Hallyu, Hollywood, beauty and more for audiences across Asia.
