# Grammy chief expresses regret over BTS pulling out of awards

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/grammy-ceo-saddened-by-bts-withdrawal-defends-asian-pop-category-its-never-to-divide/
- Published: 2026-07-30T11:32:05+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-30T17:48:21+00:00
- Original publisher: Deadline
- Original article: https://deadline.com/2026/07/grammy-ceo-saddened-bts-withdrawal-defends-asian-pop-1237012911/
- Topics: Asia, Business, Companies, Entertainment, Music, World

## Key points

- BTS withdrew from Grammy consideration over the new Asian Pop category.
- Grammy chief said the category expands recognition rather than divides artists.
- BTS can still be eligible for general awards if submitted.

## Summary

Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr said he was saddened but respected BTS’s decision to withdraw from consideration for the 69th Grammy Awards. The group’s move was seen as a protest against the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, which BTS said risked dividing music by region or language; Mason said the category was intended to broaden recognition, not segregate artists.

BTS’s seven members said they wanted their music to be heard and loved on its own terms. The Recording Academy says the category covers Asian-market pop performances, including K-pop, J-pop and C-pop, using Asian languages, while artists remain eligible for general awards such as Album, Record and Song of the Year; BTS released their 10th album, Arirang, in March after completing military service.

## Coverage

- [Deadline: Grammy chief expresses regret over BTS pulling out of awards](https://deadline.com/2026/07/grammy-ceo-saddened-bts-withdrawal-defends-asian-pop-1237012911/)
- [Rolling Stone: Grammys CEO Defends New Asian Pop Category After BTS Says They Won’t Participate in 2027 Awards](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bts-grammys-arirang-wont-submit-2027-awards-ceo-responds-1235600777/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.