After BTS Boycott, Major K-Pop Acts Pass on New Grammy Category

Artists from Korea's four biggest music agencies reportedly did not submit recordings for a new Grammy category dedicated to Asian pop music. The reported absence comes after K-POP group BTS announced in July that it would not submit any music for Grammy consideration this year.

According to Grammy analysis site The Grammy Guru, artists under HYBE, YG Entertainment, JYP Entertainment and SM Entertainment were absent from the submissions for Best Asian Pop Music Performance at the 69th Grammy Awards as of Oct. 15.

The submissions became known after the Recording Academy, which organizes the Grammys, opened the first round of voting for its members. Songs by major K-POP groups, including BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE, Stray Kids and aespa, did not appear on the list.

The Recording Academy announced the new category in June. It recognizes Asian pop music, including K-POP, J-pop and C-pop, originating from or widely recognized in Asian markets. Eligible recordings must make meaningful use of one or more Asian languages.

The announcement sparked debate over whether music from different countries should be grouped into a single category based on geography and language. Critics argued that separating Asian pop from other genres could reinforce divisions between Asian artists and the mainstream music market.

BTS announced on Jul. 29 that it would not submit music for the 2027 Grammys. All seven members shared identical statements on their individual Instagram accounts, in which they said they did not want music to be divided by region or language. A move widely interpreted as a boycott of the new category.

"We have decided not to submit to the Grammys this year," the members wrote. "We hope music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language."

Other major K-POP acts were also absent from the new category's reported list of submissions, including YG Entertainment's BLACKPINK, JYP Entertainment's TWICE and Stray Kids, and SM Entertainment's aespa.

Amid the controversy, the Recording Academy reviewed the category and ultimately decided to proceed as planned. The Academy said it had consulted members of the Asian music industry and found stronger support for keeping the category than for removing it.

The 69th Grammy Awards will take place on Feb. 7, 2027, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Nominations will be announced on Nov. 16.

For now, the category created to spotlight Asian pop is set to enter its first year without several of K-POP's biggest names.