[2026] Why did BTS decline the Grammy Awards? A summary of the circumstances surrounding their non-participation with 'ARIRANG'.

BTS has announced that they will not be submitting any songs from their album "ARIRANG," released in March 2026, to the 69th Grammy Awards in 2027. We will summarize the facts we have been able to confirm, including the statements from the seven members, the questions surrounding the newly established category that lie behind their decision, and the potential impact on the future.

[2026] Why did BTS decline the Grammy Awards? A summary of the circumstances surrounding their non-participation with 'ARIRANG'.

table of contents

1. BTS announced they will not be entering the Grammy Awards.
2. Contents of the statements from the seven people
3. What is the newly established department that is behind the decision to decline?
4. BTS and the Grammy Awards so far
5. Impact on the future
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Did BTS decline the Grammy Awards?

A. Yes. BTS has announced that they will not be submitting any songs from their album 'ARIRANG' to the 69th Grammy Awards in 2027.

Q. What was your reason for declining?

A. In a statement, the members said they hope that music will be heard for what it is, rather than being distinguished by region or language. This statement hints at doubts about the policies surrounding the newly established Asian section.

Q. When was it announced?

A. On July 29, 2026, local time, all seven members simultaneously posted the same statement on their respective Instagram accounts.

1. BTS announces they will not be entering the Grammy Awards.

BTS has announced that they will not be submitting any songs from their fifth studio album, "ARIRANG," which will be released in March 2026, to the 69th Grammy Awards in 2027.

This announcement was made on July 29, 2026, local time. All seven members—RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook—shared the same statement simultaneously on their respective Instagram accounts.

"ARIRANG" debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 album chart with 641,000 units sold, setting a new record for the group's best-selling album in its first week in over a decade. Despite this being a milestone comeback year, the decision was made to deliberately omit its entry.

2. Contents of the statements by the seven individuals

The gist of the statement posted by the members is their hope that music will be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being distinguished by region or language. They also expressed their gratitude to ARMY and everyone who always supports them.

The fact that the members specifically mentioned both "region" and "language" is seen as an indication of their views on the newly established department, which will be discussed later.

3. What is the newly established department that is behind the withdrawal?

The background to this decision lies in the new Grammy Award categories established in June 2026. These are one of five new categories created by the Recording Academy. "Best Asian Pop Music Performance" is.

This category requires that songs include the "meaningful use" of Asian languages. The fact that the members' statements mention region and language is seen as questioning this policy.

However, some have expressed concerns that this newly established category might confine Asian artists to this subcategory, depriving them of opportunities to compete in the more prestigious General and Pop Performance categories.

On the other hand, the general category allows artists of all genres to compete. This category includes Best Album, Best Record, Best Song, and Best New Artist. However, each recording can only compete in one performance category, and if a recording is entered in this newly established category, it cannot simultaneously enter, for example, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The same artist can be nominated in multiple performance categories with different recordings.

4. BTS and the Grammy Awards so far

BTS has been nominated for a Grammy Award five times, including three consecutive nominations in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category.

They have also performed live at the Grammy Awards ceremony twice in the past. In 2021, they gave a remote performance from a skyscraper in Seoul, South Korea, and in 2022, they performed their spy-themed song "Butter" live in Las Vegas, USA.

5. Future Impact

BTS's decision not to submit their own song is expected to have some impact on the Grammy Awards. Of particular interest is the impact on the ability of the awards ceremony to attract live audiences.

In the past, other artists have also withdrawn their Grammy nominations in protest against what they perceived as a disrespect to their work. Drake, The Weeknd, and Morgan Warren are examples of such artists.

In 2026, K-POP achieved its first-ever Grammy Award win with "Golden," a song from the Netflix series "K-Pop Girls! Demon Hunters," which won the Best Song Award (Movie, Television, or Other Visual Media category). The song had also been nominated for Best Song, but did not win.

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Did BTS completely reject the Grammy Awards?

A. The announcement made today is that the songs from the album 'ARIRANG' will not be submitted to the 69th Grammy Awards in 2027.

Q2. Why are the terms "region" and "language" attracting attention?

A. This is because the "Best Asian Pop Music Performance" category, newly established in June 2026, requires the meaningful use of Asian languages ​​in the song. The statement is understood to be referring to this point.

Q3. Has BTS ever won a Grammy Award?

A. He has been nominated five times so far, but has not won in any category.

Q4. How did the album 'ARIRANG' perform?

A. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 album chart with 641,000 units sold, making it the group's best-selling album in its first week in over a decade.

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