BTS Opts Out of Grammy Awards, Signaling Potential Boycott Over Genre Classifications

Global music phenomenon BTS has announced it will not submit any music for consideration at the upcoming 69th Grammy Awards, a move interpreted by some in the K-pop industry as a de facto boycott.

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We have decided not to submit for the Grammys this year.

The decision comes despite BTS's significant success, including their fifth full album 'Arirang' topping the U.S. Billboard 'Hot 100' chart. The group stated on social media, "We have decided not to submit for the Grammys this year." They added, "We hope that music can be heard and loved for its own merit, beyond regional or linguistic boundaries. We thank our 'ARMY' and everyone who is always with us."

While BTS did not explicitly detail the reasons behind their withdrawal, their statement's emphasis on music transcending regional and linguistic divisions suggests dissatisfaction with the Grammys' newly established categories. Next year, the Recording Academy will introduce 'Best Asian Pop Music Performance,' intended to recognize pop music from Asia, including K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop.

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We hope that music can be heard and loved for its own merit, beyond regional or linguistic boundaries.

However, this new category has drawn criticism for potentially being a Western-centric classification, grouping diverse musical traditions under a broad 'Asian' umbrella. Critics argue that placing K-pop, which has gained significant global traction, into a specific regional category might limit its chances in major pop categories, despite the perceived increase in award possibilities. BTS, who has been nominated five times for a Grammy since 2019 without a win, is now opting out entirely, intensifying the debate surrounding the Grammys' categorization of global music.

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We thank our 'ARMY' and everyone who is always with us.