Why BTS won't submit Arirang for the 2027 Grammy Awards

Here is why members of the talented group BTS announced that they won't submit their critically acclaimed album 'ARIRANG' for the 2027 Grammy Awards.

BTS have revealed why they will not be submitting their record-breaking fifth studio album, Arirang, for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards, despite being widely tipped as one of the strongest contenders this awards season.

The announcement comes just one month after the Recording Academy introduced the new Asian Pop Performance category for the upcoming Grammy cycle. Instead of launching a nomination campaign, all seven BTS members, RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, shared an identical statement through their individual Instagram Stories, confirming that they would not enter any of their music for Grammy consideration this year.

In their statement, the group explained that their decision was driven by a desire for their music to be appreciated without being defined by geography or language.

"I hope the music itself can be heard and loved rather than being distinguished by region and language. Thank you to the ARMY and everyone for always being with me," the statement read.

The decision has surprised fans and music industry observers alike, especially given the overwhelming commercial and critical success of Arirang. Released in March, the album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, South Korea's Circle Album Chart, Japan's Oricon Albums Chart, Germany's Official Albums Chart, and the UK Official Albums Chart.

Its lead single, "SWIM," also made history by becoming BTS' seventh No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Nearly every track from the album charted on the Hot 100, further cementing the project's global impact and making it a strong favourite for major Grammy categories, including Album of the Year.

However, BTS have chosen to forgo the awards campaign entirely, signalling that they want the focus to remain on the music rather than on recognition tied to regional or language-based classifications.

The move is expected to spark conversations across the global music industry about representation, award categories, and how artists from non-English-speaking markets are recognised on the world's biggest music stages.

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