Grammys reconsider Asian Pop category after BTS Grammys boycott

The Grammys are reviewing their Asian Pop category after the BTS Grammys boycott sparked backlash over how Asian artists are represented.

The Recording Academy is reconsidering its new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category after BTS declined to submit music for the 2027 Grammy Awards. CEO Harvey Mason Jr. confirmed this week that fresh talks are under way, following weeks of criticism over how the award represents Asian artists.

BTS did not explicitly call its decision a boycott, but the group withdrew from the 2027 Grammy submission process shortly after the Academy introduced the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category. Critics argued that dividing music by region or language could limit Asian artists rather than support them, a concern the group's statement appeared to echo.

What did the Recording Academy say?

Harvey Mason Jr. said the Grammy organization exists to serve all music people. He added that recent conversations made clear some artists felt the new category did not represent their work the way they wanted it to.

The Academy's reconsideration follows BTS's announcement last month that it would not take part in this year's Grammy submission process. While the group stopped short of framing the move as a protest, its statement lined up closely with the wider criticism of the Grammys' approach to Asian music.

What is the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category?

The category was announced in June and quickly drew criticism, particularly over its eligibility rules and language requirements. Critics questioned whether defining music through regional or linguistic boundaries would end up limiting opportunities for Asian artists instead of expanding them. The debate has since centered on one core question: is a dedicated Asian Pop category representation, or segregation?

Supporters say the category could give artists from Asia greater visibility and recognize the global reach of K-pop, J-pop, C-pop and other Asian music scenes. Opponents counter that placing Asian artists in a separate regional category could make it harder for them to compete for the Grammys' most prestigious general awards.

Did BTS win any Grammy Awards?

BTS, one of the world's biggest pop groups, has been nominated for Grammys before but has never won. That history has added weight to the group's decision not to submit music this year, since it comes without the offsetting news of a win to soften the impact. Mason Jr. previously said he was "saddened" by BTS's decision but respected it as a choice made by music creators.

First-round Grammy voting is scheduled to begin on October 12, putting the Recording Academy's review on a tight timeline. Whether the process leads to meaningful changes to the category, or only minor adjustments, remains to be seen.