BTS has announced that it will not submit its latest album, “Arirang” or any of its songs for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards, saying that it has issues with the Recording Academy’s newly introduced Asian Pop category.
The group revealed the decision through members’ social media accounts on July 29. Leader RM stated, “We have decided not to submit our work to this year’s Grammy Awards.”
He added, “We hope music can be heard and loved for itself, beyond regions or languages,” while expressing gratitude to the group’s fanbase, ARMY, and supporters.
BTS had been widely expected to compete in several of the Grammys’ top categories, including Album of the Year, after Arirang became one of the best-selling albums of the year.
BTS members instagram story
“We have decided not to submit for this year’s Grammys.
Rather than music being categorized by region or language, we hope music itself can be heard and loved for what it is.
We sincerely thank ARMY and everyone who is always with us” pic.twitter.com/VTHeUcttNj— vjk ☆ (@koovarbie) July 29, 2026
The album’s lead single, Swim, which topped the US charts, was also considered a strong contender for Song of the Year.
However, the track’s English-language lyrics would have made it ineligible for the newly created Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, announced by the Recording Academy last month.
Under the updated Grammy rules, entries in the category must include “meaningful use” of an Asian language. More than 80% of the lyrics on Arirang are performed in English.
Since debuting in 2013, BTS has become one of the world’s best-selling pop acts. Their current world tour is expected to rival Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in box office success.
