When the GRAMMYs announced the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category in July this year, BTS declared that they would not submit any songs for consideration that year. The group expressed their wish for their music to be “heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.”

The statement received widespread support from netizens, artists, and industry professionals both in South кσяєα and internationally, while the GRAMMYs faced heavy criticism. Although the Recording Academy later said it would review the issue, it ultimately decided to retain the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category in early October, citing a “significant number of submissions” in its inaugural year.

The first list of nominees for the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category at the GRAMMYs will serve as an early test of the category’s identity. However, contrary to the Recording Academy’s earlier statement, some of K-pop’s most iconic names are already мιѕѕιиg from the category in its very first year.

According to several sources and major entertainment news accounts on X, no artists under the Big 4 labels — HYBE, YG Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and SM Entertainment — submitted entries for Best Asian Pop Music Performance at the 2027 GRAMMYs. The names mentioned include BTS, BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, TWICE, aespa, LE SSERAFIM, Hearts2Hearts, ILLIT, CORTIS, and ATEEZ.

The move by these K-pop artists has sparked speculation about the reasons behind their absence. Two possible explanations have emerged: the groups may share BTS’s stance from July, or the eligibility criteria for the new category may be too restrictive for artists.

Notably, Billboard had previously identified BLACKPINK and Stray Kids as strong contenders for the new category. However, according to information currently circulating online, neither group appears to be in the running.

For BLACKPINK, the Best Asian Pop category has effectively become a narrow gateway for both the group’s releases and its members’ solo projects. Their third mini album, DEADLINE, released on February 27, contains five tracks. With the exception of “JUMP” (뛰어), the remaining four songs are entirely in English, making them ineligible for the category under the Recording Academy’s rules. The members’ solo releases face similar obstacles, either because they are performed in English or fall outside the eligibility period.

The case of Stray Kids is particularly noteworthy. Despite all eight members joining the Recording Academy as voting members this year, the group reportedly chose not to submit music for GRAMMY consideration. At a press conference on August 6, when asked about the matter, Hyunjin tactfully explained that awards and records had never been the group’s goal; their top priority has always been making their fans happy. His remarks were seen as echoing the sentiment behind BTS’s statement.

The situation has once again raised questions about the true purpose of the newly established Best Asian Pop Music Performance category. As the list of absent artists continues to circulate, fans around the world have been actively debating the issue:

- Thank you BTS and ARIRANG for paving the way again. This is how you change the world

- We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is rather than being divided by region or language... The K-pop follows their lead

- Rare big 3 win honestly, it’s really great to see that the artists and/or the companies decided not to support this category, even though for a lot of these artists it would likely be their only opportunity to get a nom for a Grammy based on how the Grammy’s run things rn

- Why did they even submit? Even if they win, it's an award created because they don't want to give Asian artists the major awards. What kind of impressive career achievement is that?

- Thank you BTS for opening everyone’s eyes to this disgusting act of яα¢ιѕт segregation. This is called paving the way

- Oh BTS, your impact must be stu∂ιєd. Standing with BTS will always be a wise decision

- Good for them. They're all standing together and taking a stand. Thank you BTS for paving the way

- Respect to all of them… These were essentially companies with artists close to being in contention for the award, yet they're standing up against racial discrimination. I think that's amazing

- Grammys have never awarded a single Asian act in the main categories, and they thought it was okay to sideline them in this category. I'm glad people are taking a stand cause with their blatant ŕäċïṩṃ. AMAs, BBMAs, and VMAs have recognized Asian artists in the main categories.

- BTS said F OFF and the whole Kpop industry said the same. This is what is called influence and paving the way

- Lets tell the truth? BTS had results and refuse that box! The others didn't had the results and coukdn't submit so they turn themselfs to fake activism. Only BTS refuse at the start. The others were waiting to their releases.