K-pop superstars BTS have announced that they will not submit their music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards.
The Dynamite hitmakers posted the same statement on their individual Instagram accounts on Wednesday.
“We have decided not to submit for Grammy consideration this year. We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language,” band members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook all wrote. “We thank (their fans) Army and everyone who has always stood by us.”
The seven-piece group were widely expected to be major contenders in the top Grammys categories, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year, following the success of their comeback record Arirang and its lead single Swim.
However, they would have been excluded from the newly announced category, Best Asian Pop Music Performance, over their use of English lyrics. According to the rules, songs in the category must feature “meaningful use” of an Asian language, and more than 80% of the lyrics on Arirang are sung in English, according to BBC News.
Officials at the Recording Academy announced the new category last month.
“This category recognizes artistic excellence in Asian pop music 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(s),” the official description reads.
The announcement drew a mixed response from music fans, with some claiming that the category pigeonholes Asian artists.
BTS have been nominated for five Grammys during their career but have yet to take home a trophy. They have been members of the Recording Academy since 2019.
The boy band released Arirang, their first studio album in nearly six years, in March after a lengthy hiatus during which they completed their mandatory military service.
They recently wrapped the European leg of their Arirang World Tour and are gearing up to resume the trek in North America on Saturday.
During the break, they performed at the FIFA World Cup Halftime Show in New Jersey alongside Justin Bieber and Madonna.
