Stray Kids Joins BTS In Sitting Out The Grammys

On October 2nd, JYP Entertainment confirmed that Stray Kids × About group Stray Kids Stray Kids is an eight-member self-producing boy group known for intense performances, experimental sound, and powerful rap lines. Tap again to view profile → Close had not submitted any music for Grammy consideration. This followed BTS × About group BTS BTS (방탄소년단) is a South Korean K-pop group formed by BigHit Music and debuted on June 13, 2013. The group consists of seven members: RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Known for their powerful performances, meaningful lyrics, and strong connection with fans, BTS has become one of the most successful and influential music groups in the world. Their music explores themes such as youth, self-discovery, mental health, love, and personal growth, helping them build a dedicated global fanbase known as ARMY. Since their debut, BTS has achieved record-breaking success across the global music industry with hit songs such as “Dynamite,” “Butter,” “Spring Day,” “Boy With Luv,” and “Fake Love.” The group has earned numerous awards, topped charts in multiple countries, sold millions of albums, and helped introduce K-pop to a broader international audience. Through their artistry, cultural Tap again to view profile → Close ’ July announcement that they would not be submitting to the Academy, stating that they believed “music itself can be heard and loved rather than being distinguished by region or language”.

Two huge K-Pop bands making the decision to sit out the 2027 Grammys is significant. Both groups have had major successes this year, with BTS’ album Arirang releasing in March, followed by a world tour, and Stray Kids releasing Run It, This & That, SKZ-REPLAY 2026 Pt.1, plus The dominATE Experience concert film and multiple festival appearances. The main difference here is that BTS gave a reason for declining; at the time of publishing, Stray Kids has not. "We have never once set award results or records as our goal. Stray Kids member Hyunjin × Artist bio Hyunjin Real name: Hwang Hyun-jinPosition: Main Dancer, Rapper, VisualNationality: South KoreanBirthday: 2000-03-20Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea Main dancer and visual of Stray Kids. Hyunjin is emotional and expressive, both in dance and personality, with a sensitive, artistic side. Tap again to view profile → Close said in an August press conference. "Our top priority is for our fans to be happy and satisfied,"

Is it a coincidence that both groups have declined to submit this year, the same year that the Academy announced the creation of a new category? Earlier this year, the Recording Academy announced the creation of the Asian Pop category, which would cover Japanese, Chinese, and Korean pop music. Many fans of K-Pop reacted negatively to this announcement, claiming it was just another box that the Western music industry had created in order to keep non-Western musicians from taking home the mainstream awards.

After BTS’ stance came out, the Recording Academy released a statement expressing their regret that BTS would not be participating. They also explained that the new category was not meant to keep Asian acts out of the mainstream categories. The Academy later released another statement that the new category would become a permanent fixture of the Grammy Award ceremony, despite rumors of the possibility that they would discontinue the category. Retracting the category now is largely unviable for the Academy, as a reversal would risk validating critics' concerns that the award functions as a structural silo rather than an inclusive step forward.

The fact that all eight members of Stray Kids were invited to become voting members of the Recording Academy—joining all seven members of BTS—places an unprecedented amount of collective leverage in the artists' hands. This alignment elevates their refusal to submit music for the 2027 cycle from a standard procedural omission to a pointed institutional statement. With 15 core creators holding ballot-casting power while actively boycotting the submission process, the move underscores a profound ideological breach: it signals that while these global icons are willing to shape the voting landscape as peers, they refuse to validate a newly carved-out category they argue inherently partitions them from the general field. It must also be noted that both groups’ are actually disqualified from earning the new award, as the category explicitly needs the songs submitted to make good use of the Korean language. Swim and This & That are primarily in English.

In an interview with Variety, ATEEZ × About group ATEEZ ATEEZ is an eight-member K-pop boy group known for powerful performances, intense choreography, and a strong global fanbase. Since debuting in 2018, they have built a reputation for cinematic concepts and commanding stage presence. Tap again to view profile → Close leader, Hongjoong × Artist bio Hongjoong Real name: Kim Hong-joongPosition: Leader, RapperNationality: South KoreanBirthday: 1998-11-07Birthplace: Anyang, South Korea ATEEZ’s leader and creative force, Hongjoong is known for his sharp rap style, strong leadership, and deep involvement in the group’s music and concepts. - Hongjoong is a determined, creative leader who spends most of his time on music and concepts, with a thoughtful and caring side. - He is a INFP-A Tap again to view profile → Close , shared that he partially agrees with BTS, stating that music should be appreciated as art rather than being sidelined by regional, language, or geographical boundaries. He noted his personal preference to avoid being boxed into a separate "Asian pop" category rather than competing on mainstream global music tracks.

Regardless of the intention of the Academy with the creation of this category, the reaction and backlash from Asian music fans has been big enough that whoever does win this category will forever carry the label of first, of course, but this situation also leaves the inaugural winner in a delicate position, potentially bearing the burden of an award that many critics and fans argue inadvertently compartmentalizes global artists. Ultimately, what was meant to be a celebration of inclusion may instead stand as a stark reminder of the cultural boundaries the industry still needs to overcome.