BTS Opts Out of Grammys, Says Music 'Should Not Be Defined by Region or Language'

Global K-pop sensation BTS announced on Wednesday (July 29, 2026) that they will not submit their music for next year's Grammy Awards, following the Recording Academy's introduction of a new category for Best Asian Pop Music Performance.

The South Korean group had been widely considered a strong contender for several of the Grammys' top honours, including Album of the Year, after their comeback album, ARIRANG, became one of the year's best-selling releases.

In coordinated statements posted on their individual Instagram accounts, the group said: "We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year." They added: "We hope that music is heard and loved for what it is, rather than being defined by region or language."

BTS is the first all-South Korean act to top Billboard's U.S. singles chart, a feat achieved with their 2020 track "Dynamite", their first hit sung entirely in English. Despite performing at the Grammys and receiving several nominations over the years, including for Best Music Video, the group has never won a Grammy.

ARIRANG, named after a South Korean folk song, features extensive English lyrics and explores themes of Korean identity following the band's hiatus due to mandatory military service. However, the album would not have qualified for the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, which requires entries to make "meaningful use" of at least one Asian language.

The Recording Academy said the new award aims to honour "artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances originating from or widely recognised within Asian markets, including but not limited to K-pop, J-pop and C-pop." The category was among five new awards announced last month.

The announcement drew mixed reactions online. Some critics welcomed the recognition of Asian pop genres, while others argued that the category risks separating Asian artists into a niche rather than allowing them to compete alongside global peers. The Academy has not yet commented on BTS's decision.

BTS's choice reflects a broader debate within the international music industry about how to balance cultural recognition with universal artistic merit. As the Grammys prepare for their next edition, the absence of one of the world's biggest acts from the nomination pool is likely to be noted by fans and industry observers alike.