BTS have announced they will not submit their comeback album Arirang for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards, weeks after the Recording Academy introduced a new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category. In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the group said they wanted their music to "be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided into region or language," a decision that comes as the band continues to navigate its complicated relationship with the awards show.

The new category, unveiled by the Recording Academy for the 69th Annual Grammy Awards, is designed to recognise K-pop, J-pop and C-pop recordings, part of a wider push by chief executive Harvey Mason Jr to broaden representation. Despite becoming one of the world's biggest pop acts, BTS have never won a Grammy despite several nominations, including for "Dynamite", "Butter" and their Coldplay collaboration "My Universe", and members have previously played down the importance of the accolade. The 69th Grammy Awards are due to take place in February 2027; earlier this month BTS performed at the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final halftime show alongside Madonna, Shakira and Justin Bieber.