BTS Rejects 2027 Grammy Submission, Says Music Should Not Be Defined by Language or Region
Global K-pop sensation BTS has announced that it will not submit its music for consideration at the 69th Grammy Awards, scheduled to take place on February 7, 2027, in a decision that has surprised fans and sparked conversations across the music industry.
The announcement was made on Wednesday through identical statements posted on the personal Instagram accounts of all seven members—RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook.
In the statement, the group explained that their decision was driven by a desire for their music to be appreciated without being categorized by geography or language.
“We have decided not to submit for Grammy consideration this year. We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language. We thank ARMY and everyone who has always stood by us.”
BTS Speaks Out Following New Grammy Category
The announcement comes only weeks after the Recording Academy unveiled a new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category.
The newly introduced award is intended to recognize outstanding Asian pop music performances from markets including K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop, while emphasizing works that feature one or more Asian languages.
Although the new category was widely viewed as a step toward greater representation, BTS’ statement suggests the group prefers to have its music judged alongside artists from every part of the world rather than within a region-specific category.
The Recording Academy has not publicly responded to BTS’ decision.
Five Grammy Nominations But Still No Victory
Despite being one of the biggest music acts on the planet, BTS has yet to win a Grammy Award.
Throughout its career, the group has earned five Grammy nominations, including recognition in categories such as Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Music Video.
Since 2019, all seven members have also served as voting members of the Recording Academy, making their decision to opt out of Grammy consideration even more significant.
‘Arirang’ Marks a Record-Breaking Return
Expectations were high that 2027 could finally become BTS’ breakthrough year at the Grammys following the group’s highly successful comeback.
Earlier this year, BTS released its fifth studio album, Arirang, marking the group’s first full project after every member completed South Korea’s mandatory military service.
The album quickly became a worldwide commercial success, topping Billboard album and singles charts while receiving widespread praise from both critics and fans.
The release reaffirmed BTS’ status as one of the most influential music groups in the world.
World Tour Continues After Historic FIFA World Cup Performance
BTS is currently touring the world in support of World Tour Arirang, drawing massive crowds across multiple continents.
After concluding the European leg with sold-out performances in Paris, the group delivered one of the most talked-about performances of the year during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Sharing the stage with Madonna, Shakira, and Justin Bieber, BTS performed its global hit “Dynamite” during the historic 11-minute halftime show, the first ever held during a FIFA World Cup final.
Wearing matching custom red tour outfits featuring each member’s name alongside the number seven, the group received one of the loudest ovations of the night.
BTS is now preparing to resume the North American leg of the tour on August 1, returning to MetLife Stadium as fans eagerly await the next phase of the group’s record-breaking comeback.
