South Korean music group BTS announced Wednesday, July 29, 2026, that they will not submit their latest comeback album for consideration at the upcoming 69th Grammy Awards.
The decision comes after the Recording Academy introduced a new category, Best Asian Pop Music Performance, set to debut at the ceremony in February.
Critics and fans argue the new distinction acts as a barrier separating Western pop from successful global genres.
In an official statement released across their social media platforms, the group explained their stance.
"We have decided not to submit an entry for Grammy consideration this year.
We hope music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided into region or language," BTS said.
The band released their long-awaited comeback album in March before making the choice to boycott the submission process.
In response to inquiries regarding the group's boycott, BTS's record label, Hybe, stated that it had no additional comments beyond the band's official announcement.
