BTS decline Grammy entry this year after Academy unveils Asian pop category

BTS have announced that they will not submit their music for the Grammy Awards this year. The decision was shared through an identical statement posted by all seven members—RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook—on their individual Instagram accounts.“We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year. I hope music itself can be heard and loved rather than being distinguished by region or language. Thank you to the ARMY and everyone for always being with me,” the statement read.The announcement comes as a surprise, particularly as ARIRANG, BTS’ first full-group album since completing their military service, was widely expected to be among the group’s strongest Grammy contenders. The album became one of the year’s biggest global releases, breaking streaming records, dominating charts across multiple countries and drawing widespread critical acclaim, with many industry watchers viewing it as a potential contender for Grammy recognition.The decision also comes after the Recording Academy introduced the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category as part of a slate of new Grammy Award categories. The category recognises artistic excellence in Asian pop performances featuring one or more Asian languages. While BTS did not explicitly mention the newly introduced category in their statement, the timing of the announcement has sparked conversations among fans. The septet have previously made Grammy history as the first K-pop act to receive nominations in major categories, earning nods for songs including Dynamite, Butter and Yet To Come.- EndsPublished By: shweta keshriPublished On: Jul 29, 2026 11:30 IST