The globally renowned South Korean boyband BTS has announced it will boycott the 69th annual Grammy Awards scheduled for February, in response to the introduction of a new category specifically for Asian pop music. The group expressed concerns that creating regional or language-based divisions in music awards could be counterproductive.
The Recording Academy, which organises the Grammy Awards, unveiled two new categories earlier this year: Best Latin Song and Best Asian Pop Music Performance. These additions reflect the growing international popularity of Latin and Asian pop genres. The Asian pop category encompasses music from South Korea, Japan, and China, all of which have experienced significant growth in global recognition over recent years.
In a statement shared via social media, BTS members said they had resolved not to submit any work for consideration this year, emphasizing their belief that music should be appreciated without regional or linguistic distinctions. “We hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language,” the group said.
BTS, a seven-member group originating from South Korea, has been nominated for five Grammy Awards in the past, including categories such as Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Music Video, and Best Album. Despite these nominations, the group has yet to secure a win. The band remains a dominant force in the global music market, with their 2023 album *ARIRANG* debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart for two consecutive weeks—a record for any K-pop act.
The Recording Academy defended its decision to add the new categories, highlighting the aim to recognise the expanding artistic contributions emerging from Asian and Latin music scenes. Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. noted that the Academy had expanded its voting panel to include more Korean and Latino artists to ensure greater inclusivity. He described the creation of new categories not as a form of division, but as an effort to broaden recognition for diverse artists.
Recent milestones demonstrate the growing influence of these genres at the Grammys. Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny won Album of the Year last February for *Un Verano Sin Ti*, while Korean-American artist Huntrix’s song *Golden* became the first K-pop track to win a Grammy.
BTS’s popularity remains robust worldwide. Their fanbase, known as ARMY, helped sell out concert dates across South Korea, North America, and Europe rapidly. The group also received three awards, including Artist of the Year, at the 52nd American Music Awards in May, marking yet another milestone as the first Korean act to achieve a No. 1 debut on the US charts with their all-English single *Dynamite*.
Mason described BTS’s decision to boycott the Grammys as disappointing but affirmed that the Academy respects the group’s choice. The discussion highlights ongoing debates in the music industry over how best to balance cultural representation and the universal nature of music in major award ceremonies.