The tension between the Recording Academy and the South Korean group BTS added a new chapter after the confirmation that the band will not enter its most recent album, “ARIRANG”, in the consideration process for the 69th edition of the Grammy Awards in 2027.
The septet's position provoked an immediate response from the institution's CEO, Harvey Mason Jr., in the midst of an intense debate about the categorization of international music.
The controversy arose following the announcement of the organization's recently introduced Best Asian Pop Music Performance category. To qualify in this category, the rules require that compositions include predominant use of an Asian language, which would exclude songs performed entirely in English, such as their single “Swim.”
Through a joint statement released on the Instagram accounts of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook, BTS made their decision public.
"We have decided not to submit our music to the Grammys this year. We hope that the music can be heard and appreciated for what it is, instead of being divided by region or language," said the group's members.
For the group, the creation of this specific line runs the risk of pigeonholing the region's exponents in a secondary section instead of measuring them on equal terms in the main categories, such as Album or Song of the Year.
Given the K-pop group's statement, Harvey Mason Jr. reacted publicly, showing understanding but regretting the band's absence in the race.
“I am saddened to learn that BTS has decided not to participate in the Grammy Awards process this year; however, as a music creator, I understand and respect their decision,” stated the Academy's top executive.
Mason Jr. defended the purpose of the initiative, ensuring that the new award seeks to “celebrate the depth, diversity and extraordinary growth of pop music from Asia,” and ruled out that the intention was to segregate artists. Likewise, he stressed that the institution will continue listening to the global community to adapt its criteria.
“ARIRANG,” the group's fifth studio album after concluding their mandatory military service in South Korea, had been projected as one of the strongest releases of the season after debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 with 641,000 units in its first week.
