Grammys' new Best Asian Pop category and K-pop acts declining to submit
On June 16, 2026 the Recording Academy announced five new categories for the 2027 Grammys, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance, open only to recordings with 'meaningful use' of an Asian language. On July 29 BTS said they would not submit this year, hoping their music would be heard 'rather than being divided by region or language'; on Oct 2 JYP Entertainment confirmed Stray Kids had not submitted. The Academy is keeping the category.
Fact Claim Disputed Rumor Not true
What the new category requires
Announcing five new categories in June, the Academy described Best Asian Pop Music Performance as recognising the depth, diversity and growth of pop from Asia. Entries must come from Asian markets and make meaningful use of at least one Asian language, so English-only songs are ineligible — including BTS's Hot 100 No. 1 'Swim' from ARIRANG.
1,2What BTS and Stray Kids did
On July 29 every BTS member posted the same sentence announcing they would sit out: they want their music heard for what it is, not divided by region or language. BTS have five Grammy nominations and no wins. Mason said he respected the choice but noted that genre entries can still compete in the general field.
Stray Kids' label confirmed only that the group had not submitted, giving no reason. Some outlets called the absences of the two groups and Drake a 'boycott', but none of them used that word.
1,2,3,4,5Timeline
- Fact The Recording Academy announces five new 2027 categories, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance, for pop from Asian markets with 'meaningful use of one or more Asian languages'.1,2,3
- Fact All seven BTS members post the same statement on Instagram: they will not submit for this year's Grammys.1,2
- Claim Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said he understood and respected the decision, and that genre-field entries do not bar general-field contention such as Song of the Year.2
- Disputed Submission deadline — given as Aug 21 (MBW) or Aug 28 (Consequence) depending on the outlet.4,5
- Claim Mason said the category stays for 2027 — 'we are confident it's the right conclusion for the music community overall' — while acknowledging it will not satisfy everyone.3
- Fact JYP Entertainment told the BBC that Stray Kids did not submit for the Grammys, without giving a reason.3,4,5
- Claim Billboard, citing sources, reported that Drake also did not submit his three 2026 albums; no official explanation.4,5
What people say — checked
Not submitting is fact; 'boycott' is media framing. Neither BTS's statement nor JYP's confirmation uses it, and Stray Kids gave no reason.1,4,5
The Academy's CEO said genre entries do not prevent general-field contention.2
It is entirely in English and fails the Asian-language requirement.1,2
On Oct 1 Mason said it will remain for 2027.3
Five nominations, no wins (NBC).2
Why it's an issue
- r/kpop BTS announce they won’t submit their work for the upcoming Grammys 2026-07-29 · 연간 20위
- 주요 매체 NME·NBC News·Rolling Stone·Music Business Worldwide·Consequence 등 영미권 매체 보도 2026-07-29 · 7월 발표 후 10월 스트레이 키즈 확인까지 이어서 보도
関連記事
Sources
- press NME, BTS refuse to submit to Grammys in response to new Asian Pop category, 2026-07-29
- press NBC News, K-pop group BTS won’t submit its music for Grammy Awards, 2026-07-29
- press Music Business Worldwide, Grammys will keep Asian pop category for 2027 awards as Stray Kids follow BTS in declining to submit music, 2026-10-05
- press Music Business Worldwide, Five-time Grammy winner Drake did not submit any of his three 2026 albums for consideration, 2026-10-08
- press Consequence, Drake, BTS, Stray Kids Won’t Submit Music for 2027 Grammys, 2026-10-06
- community Reddit r/kpop, BTS announce they won’t submit their work for the upcoming Grammys, 2026-07-29
How this article was made: read official statements, court/regulator records and at least two independent outlets; community posts are used only as attention signals. Written by Hallyu Wiki editors with AI assistance — check the sources. 訂正依頼