Stray Kids and BTS Skip 2027 Grammy Awards After Asian Pop Category Decision
The Recording Academy announced the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category on October 1 for the 2027 Grammy Awards to cover contemporary popular music from Asian markets, including K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop, requiring meaningful use of at least one Asian language while excluding songs performed entirely in English.
The eligibility period for the 69th Grammy Awards runs from August 31, 2025, through August 28, 2026. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 7, 2027, with first-round voting running from October 12 through October 22 and nominations announced on November 16.
JYP Entertainment Confirms Stray Kids Missed Submission Deadline
The agency confirmed to local media that the group filed no entry before the August 21 submission deadline, without offering a specific reason for the move or confirming whether the new Asian Pop category played a part in it. Under Grammy rules, music not formally submitted cannot appear on nomination screening ballots or compete for a win.
BTS Group Boycott Over Regional and Linguistic Divisions
We thank Army and everyone who has always stood by us.”
Meanwhile, BTS has earned five Grammy nominations but has never won an award. Ateez leader Hongjoong stated in a recent interview that he partly agreed with the stance taken by BTS and would consider joining the boycott.
Blackpink Misses Out Due to Release Timeline
Attention initially turned to which major K-pop acts might qualify for the inaugural Best Asian Pop Music Performance award, with Blackpink among the names discussed. However, the group’s recent music does not meet the eligibility requirements. Blackpink released its third mini album, “DEADLINE,” on February 27, 2026, featuring five tracks: “JUMP,” “GO,” “Me and my,” “Champion,” and “Fxxxboy.”
The other four tracks on “DEADLINE” are performed entirely in English, failing the language requirement. Solo releases from members also missed the mark, such as Jennie’s digital EP “Fallen Angel,” released on August 28, 2026—the final day of the eligibility period—which is likewise performed entirely in English.
Recording Academy Response to Criticism of the Asian Pop Category
The new category has sparked intense debate over whether music should be separated according to region or language, with critics arguing that because K-pop has already entered the global mainstream, creating a separate category could marginalize artists and segregate Asian music from main categories like Record of the Year and Album of the Year. Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. stated that the organization spent several weeks holding listening sessions and talking with leaders in the Asian music community before confirming the category would proceed.
Mason acknowledged that the Academy heard both candid opposition and strong support, noting that enthusiasm from fellow music creators ultimately outweighed the criticism.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2027 Grammy Asian Pop Category
What are the exact language requirements for the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category?
A recording must feature meaningful use of one or more Asian languages, making songs performed entirely in English ineligible for the award.
When does voting take place for the 69th Grammy Awards?
First-round voting runs from October 12 through October 22, with official nominations scheduled to be announced on November 16.
What previous Grammy success has K-pop achieved?
K-pop’s clearest Grammy breakthrough occurred earlier this year when “Golden”—from the animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” and featuring vocals from fictional group Huntr/x members EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami—won best song written for visual media.
Have other K-pop groups announced participation or boycotts alongside BTS and Stray Kids?
While BTS and Stray Kids have sat out submissions, Ateez leader Hongjoong stated in an interview that he partly agreed with BTS and would consider joining the boycott, though no official agency announcements from other groups have finalized their submission statuses.
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