In a surprising turn, BTS has chosen to withhold their latest album, Arirang, from consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards. But why did they make this decision?
In a heartfelt Instagram post shared on Tuesday, July 28, the seven iconic members — RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook — expressed their thoughts. They wrote, “We have chosen not to participate in Grammy submissions this year. Our goal is for our music to be cherished for its essence, without being categorized by geographical or linguistic boundaries.”
Their statement resonated with gratitude as they added, “We extend our deepest thanks to [BTS] Army and everyone who has consistently supported us.”
This announcement comes only a month after the Recording Academy unveiled its new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category for the forthcoming Grammy Awards.
BTS is making an anticipated return to the limelight following a hiatus, during which members completed their compulsory military duties. On Sunday, January 4, the global sensations revealed plans to launch a new album — their first in six years — slated for a March 20 release. While the album’s title remains under wraps, it promises to feature 14 tracks.
“This category recognizes artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including but not limited to K-pop, J-pop and C-pop, with meaningful use of one or more Asian languages,” a description of the category reads. “Awards are presented to the performing artist(s).”
BTS dropped their sixth album, Arirang, in March, which was their first since the band’s 2022 hiatus. (The K-pop group took a break from releasing music together during members’ respective mandatory military enlistments and other solo projects.)
“I realized it’s probably not something I can stop just because I want to stop it,” J-Hope, 32, told Rolling Stone in an April profile of the band’s reunion. “Personally, I’m very affected by the people around me, so I have to think about whether I can handle the emotional effect my decisions will have on so many others. In the end, I felt that keeping the flame burning is what I truly want, and the choice that’s most authentically me.”
As for Suga, 33, he claimed to the outlet that the singers went solo because they “couldn’t work in a group at the time.”
K-pop fans, rejoice: Netflix has just announced that it will be globally live-streaming the climactic comeback of world phenomenon boy band BTS. For the first time in nearly four years, RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook reunite on stage in Seoul to perform songs off their upcoming album ARIRANG, in addition to […]
“Before going into the military, I knew we were always gonna get back together. But I can see how it could be surprising from a foreign perspective,” he stated. “But for us, staying together just felt obvious. So, nobody really had opinions about that. I just thought, ‘Yeah, of course we’re doing this.’”
Upon its release, Arirang sold 641,000 copies in the United States in its first week alone and topped Apple Music’s charts in more than 115 countries.
“I’ve been saying to the members, ‘If we don’t challenge anymore, then I think there’s no reason that we should keep doing this as a team,’” RM, 31, told Rolling Stone. “We have to show the world that we are still ongoing and still exploring. It’s so complicated sometimes. But still, I think we have to push it to the edge even more, even more, and it’s still not enough.” He smiles at his own intensity.”