BTS’ Boycott: Will labelling music bring more trouble for the Grammys?
BTS has decided not to submit their music for Grammy consideration following the Recording Academy's introduction of a new 'Best Asian Pop Music Performance' category. The band expressed concerns that the category, which excludes English-language tracks, divides music by region and language rather than celebrating it globally.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing tension between global music industry institutions and the evolving, borderless nature of modern pop music consumption.
In March 2026, at the Oscars, songwriter EJAE accepted the award for Best Original Song as part of the songwriting team behind ‘Golden’, the hit song from the film KPop Demon Hunters and the first K-pop song to win the award. Speaking to the room, she recalled how people had once mocked her for pursuing the genre. That night, nobody in the room doubted K-pop’s global appeal or its place on the biggest stage.
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