Korean pop group BTS will not submit its music for Grammy consideration this year, apparently in protest over the Recording Academy’s recent decision to launch a new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category.
“We have decided not to submit for Grammy consideration this year,” the group’s seven members – RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook – posted on their Instagram accounts. “We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language. We thank Army and everyone who has always stood by us.”
The “Army” reference is a nod to the group’s global fanbase.
Last month, the Recording Academy announced several new categories including the Best Asian Pop Music Performance, which is designed to recognize artistic excellence in “performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including but not limited to K-pop, J-pop and C-pop, with meaningful use of one or more Asian languages.” Awards are presented to the performing artist or artists.
BTS generally was expected to land multiple Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year, for its huge-selling comeback record Arirang. The album’s No. 1 lead single “Swim” also was expected to score nominations.
BTS fans — and, no doubt, the Recording Academy — had hoped the group would perform at the February 7 Grammy ceremony, which ABC will air and Hulu and Disney+ will stream for the first time after airing on CBS for more than 50 years.
BTS is on a world tour and recently appeared at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The 11-minute halftime show, during which the group performed its 2020 single “Dynamite,” also featured Madonna, Shakira and Justin Bieber. BTS returns to MetLife on August 1 to begin the U.S. leg of its tour.