BTS and Stray Kids skip Grammys Asian pop category

Summary

• The Grammys’ first Best Asian Pop Music Performance category will go ahead at the 2027 awards ceremony, but two of K-pop’s biggest global acts, BTS and Stray Kids, will not compete.
• The Best Asian Pop Music Performance category was introduced in June as part of the Recording Academy’s effort to recognise pop music originating from or widely recognised within Asian markets.
• The nominations will provide the first major indication of which artists have embraced the new category and how the Grammys’ Asian pop initiative will be received by the global music industry.

AI Generated Summary

The Grammys’ first Best Asian Pop Music Performance category will go ahead at the 2027 awards ceremony, but two of K-pop’s biggest global acts, BTS and Stray Kids, will not compete.

BTS announced in July that it would not submit music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards. The group raised concerns about the newly introduced category and said it hoped music could be appreciated without being separated by region or language.

Stray Kids have also decided not to participate in this year’s submissions process. JYP Entertainment confirmed that the group did not submit any music before the August 21 deadline. However, the agency did not provide a specific reason for the decision or confirm whether it was connected to the new Asian pop category.

Despite the absence of both groups, the Recording Academy has confirmed that the award will continue as planned. Officials said the category received a strong number of submissions, suggesting that the controversy surrounding it has not stopped artists from seeking recognition.