K-pop group BTS’ decision to skip Grammy Awards consideration continued to draw attention Thursday as Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. defended the new Asian pop music category.
The seven-member group announced Wednesday that it would not submit its comeback album, “ARIRANG,” or any of its songs for consideration for the 2027 Grammy Awards, saying it wants its music judged without regard to geography or language.
“We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language,” the group wrote in identical Instagram posts shared by group members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook.
“I am saddened to hear that BTS has chosen not to participate in the Grammy Awards process this year, but as a music creator, I understand and respect their decision,” Mason wrote in a statement posted on the Grammys’ official Instagram account.
He said the academy created the new best Asian pop music performance category to recognize the growth and diversity of pop music from across Asia, not to separate those artists from the Grammys’ top awards.
“More categories mean more artists’ work is recognized. It’s never to divide, but to expand who is recognized by our 15,000 Grammy voters,” Mason said.
He also emphasized that artists who enter genre categories remain eligible for the Grammys’ general field awards, including album, record and song of the year.
BTS has received five Grammy nominations but has never won. “ARIRANG” was released in March following the members’ completion of their mandatory military service.
Can you do it I sport you Bts and my big dream 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜