BTS Declines Grammy Consideration, Citing New Category Issues

K-pop group BTS has decided not to submit their latest work for the upcoming Grammy Awards following the announcement of a new category, "Best Asian Pop Performance." Introduced on June 16 alongside four other new awards, the Recording Academy described the category as a recognition for pop performances across Asian music, including K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop.

All seven members - RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook - issued a unified statement on Instagram explaining their decision. The artists expressed their desire for listeners to appreciate their music for what it is, without dividing art by regional or linguistic boundaries.

The decision affects their comeback album, Arirang, which was released in March 2026 after a four-year hiatus due to the members' mandatory military service. The album achieved major commercial success, topping the US Billboard 200 chart for three consecutive weeks.

Throughout their career, BTS has received five Grammy nominations but has yet to win an award.