BTS has withdrawn from Grammy Awards consideration this year, in an apparent protest against the Recording Academy's new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category. The K-pop group's seven members – RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook – announced the decision via Instagram, saying they hoped their music could "be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language." The move is significant given BTS had been expected to secure multiple nominations, including Album of the Year, and would have marked a major coup for the Grammys' first broadcast on ABC, Hulu and Disney+ after decades on CBS.

The Recording Academy unveiled the new category last month to honour performances "originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets", including K-pop, J-pop and C-pop. BTS's comeback album Arirang and its chart-topping single "Swim" had been tipped for strong recognition at the ceremony, set for 7 February 2027. The group recently performed at the FIFA World Cup 2026 halftime show alongside Madonna, Shakira and Justin Bieber, and continues its world tour, with US dates resuming at MetLife Stadium on 1 August.