BTS has reportedly chosen not to submit its music for the 69th Grammy Awards, following the Recording Academy’s introduction of the Best Asian Pop Music Performance (APMP) category.
Several media outlets reported that the group reached the decision after the Academy announced the new award. Reports also said BTS believes music should earn recognition for its artistic quality instead of its language or region.
The Recording Academy introduced the APMP category in June 2026. The organization said the award recognizes excellence in Asian pop music. It includes genres such as K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop.
BTS has already made Grammy history. The group became the first K-pop act to receive Grammy nominations. Over the years, BTS has earned five nominations across several categories. These include Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Music Video, and Album of the Year as featured artists. However, the group has not won a Grammy.
Choosing not to submit music does not affect BTS’s future releases. The decision only means the Recording Academy will not consider the group’s eligible work during this Grammy cycle.
The announcement has sparked discussions among fans and music observers worldwide. However, no official evidence shows that the Recording Academy created the APMP category to exclude BTS or other Asian artists from major Grammy categories.
The Recording Academy has maintained that the new award expands recognition for Asian pop music. The Academy has not announced any changes to its submission process beyond the addition of the new category.
BTS has also not released an official statement that expands on the reported decision. For now, the group’s choice marks one of the biggest Grammy related developments ahead of the 2027 awards season.
