K-pop supergroup BTS announced Wednesday they will not submit songs for consideration for the 2027 Grammy Awards. In a joint Korean-language statement issued during a concert, the seven members said they do not wish to be included in the newly created Best Asian Pop Music Performance category.

The category, seen as a way to categorize releases across K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop, has drawn criticism as potentially exclusionary, preventing Asian pop from winning other awards. Supporters argue it is simply the latest addition to the Grammys' list of over 90 categories.

"We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language," the band's message read. They thanked their fan base, known as "Army," for their support.

BTS, which has been nominated for five Grammys but never won, returned from a four-year hiatus due to mandatory military service. They recently released a 14-track album titled "ARIRANG" and spent most of the summer touring the Americas, including a controversial performance at the World Cup final halftime show.

No K-pop act has ever won a Grammy. The only win in an Asian-related category went to the fictional artists from the animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" for Best Song Written for Visual Media, a decision that sparked mixed reactions.

Source: www.dw.com