BTS, Stray Kids and Korea's Big Four Agency Artists Sit Out... Grammys Face a "Half-Empty" Crisis

Backlash over new "Best Asian Pop" category

Fewest entries among the Grammys' four new categories

Billboard: "Has not had a smooth start amid controversy"

The “Asian Pop” category newly introduced by the Grammy Awards, widely regarded as the most prestigious popular music awards in the United States, has been embroiled in controversy from its very first presentation, prompting criticism that its stated aim of shining a spotlight on Asian music has not been properly realized.

On October 15, The Grammy Guru, a website specializing in Grammy Awards analysis, reported that no artists from any of South Korea’s four largest entertainment agencies had submitted a single song to the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category at the 2027 Grammy Awards (the 69th ceremony).

The controversy surrounding the Asian Pop category was sparked on July 29, when all members of BTS posted the same statement on their respective social media accounts, saying they would not submit music to the 2027 Grammy Awards. “We hope music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being classified by region or language,” they said.

The group BTS. The “Asian Pop” category newly introduced by the Grammy Awards, widely regarded as the most prestigious popular music awards in the United States, was embroiled in controversy from its first presentation. Big Hit Music

Following BTS, Stray Kids also did not submit an entry to the category, while BLACKPINK was reportedly ineligible because its new release contained a high proportion of English lyrics. The category also received the fewest entries among the newly introduced categories. Of the four categories added by the Grammys this year, the Best Latin Song category received 519 entries, while the Asian Pop category received just 116.

BTS's decision was previously interpreted as a de facto boycott targeting the Asian Pop category, which the Grammys announced in June. The new category is open to pop music that originated in Asian markets, such as K-pop, J-pop and C-pop, or is widely recognized in the region. It also requires the meaningful use of at least one Asian language.

The problem is that K-pop has actively incorporated English lyrics as it has expanded into global markets. Critics say that, as the languages and markets of music transcend national borders, requiring the use of an Asian language fails to reflect the evolution of K-pop. The approach of grouping popular music from South Korea, Japan and China under the regional label “Asian” has also been criticized for not adequately accounting for musical differences.

Experts say the Grammys have undermined their own authority by sticking to an approach centered on the U.S. recording industry. On October 15, Billboard said the Grammys’ Best Asian Pop Performance category “has not gotten off to a smooth start amid controversy.”

The 69th Grammy Awards are scheduled to take place on February 7, 2027. Attention is focused on which works and artists the Asian Pop category will recognize during the nominations and awards process, and whether the criteria that have drawn criticism will be revised.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.