BTS reject Grammysamid Arirang triumph.

Global icons challenge recording Academy’s new Asian Pop category, choosing principle over prestige.

K-pop superstars BTS have announced they will not submit their record-breaking album Arirang for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards. The decision comes in response to the Recording Academy’s introduction of a new category, Best Asian Pop Music Performance, which the group believes undermines the universality of music by dividing it along regional and linguistic lines.

In a joint statement shared on Instagram, RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook made their stance clear: “We hope music can be heard and loved as music itself, rather than being divided by region or language.” Their refusal marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate about representation and inclusivity in global music awards.

This move follows BTS’s history with the Grammys, where they earned three consecutive nominations in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category for Dynamite, Butter, and My Universe with Coldplay between 2021 and 2023. Despite their nominations, they never won, and many fans have criticized the Academy for sidelining non-English acts. The new Asian Pop category, while intended to highlight diverse talent, has been perceived by critics and BTS alike as a form of segregation rather than recognition.

Meanwhile, Arirang has become one of the decade’s most successful albums. Released on March 20, 2026, it debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 641,000 equivalent album units, including 532,000 pure sales- the highest for a group in over ten years. Physical formats played a crucial role, with 516,000 copies sold across multiple vinyl and CD editions. Vinyl alone accounted for 208,000 units, marking one of the strongest weeks in modern chart history.

The album’s lead single, Swim, also soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming BTS’s seventh chart-topper. In addition, all 14 tracks from the album entered the Hot 100 simultaneously, while Spotify streams hit 110 million on release day, dominating the platform’s global charts.

Despite bypassing the Grammys, BTS’s focus remains firmly on their fans. The group is set to resume their Arirang World Tour on August 1, beginning with two shows at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey before heading to Foxborough, Baltimore, Arlington, Toronto, and Chicago.

By rejecting Grammy submission, BTS has reinforced their belief that true artistry transcends borders, proving once again that their influence extends far beyond trophies.