The Kpop band BTS announced this Wednesday that it will not enter its musical production, “Arirang”, for the next edition of the Grammy Awards.
The K-pop stars' decision appears to be a direct response to the recent addition of the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category by the United States Recording Academy.
Through coordinated publications on their personal Instagram accounts, the seven members of the group expressed their position regarding the North American awards: "This year we have decided not to participate in the Grammys. We hope that the music is heard and loved for what it is, instead of being defined by region or language."
The group's stance causes a stir in the music industry, as they were expected to compete strongly in major categories, including Album of the Year, boosted by the resounding commercial success of their comeback album, “ARIRANG.” This album, named after an iconic South Korean folk song, addresses issues of Korean identity after the band's hiatus to complete mandatory military service.
Paradoxically, “ARIRANG” would not have qualified to compete in the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance section either. The regulations stipulate that productions must include “significant use” of an Asian language, while the BTS album contains a notable percentage of compositions and performances in English.
The inclusion of this new category – designed by the Academy to reward excellence in genres such as K-pop, J-pop and C-pop – has sparked harsh criticism among industry experts and fans. Various analysts point out that this type of distinction pigeonholes Asian exponents into a secondary framework, instead of measuring them on equal terms within the general shortlists along with their Anglo-Saxon peers.
BTS made history in 2020 by becoming the first all-South Korean group to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart with their single “Dynamite.” Despite having received multiple nominations in the past and having performed at the official awards gala, the band has never won a gramophone.
