BTS Skips Grammys, Withdraws Arirang From Consideration
The K-pop group decided in July not to submit its album Arirang for Grammy consideration in 2026.
Updated on Nov. 15, 2026 in Pop
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BTS withdrew its album Arirang from Grammy consideration, a decision the group announced in July. Stray Kids also declined to submit their work to the Recording Academy, according to JYP Entertainment.
Why it matters
The decision highlights ongoing debate over whether Asian artists should compete in mainstream categories or separate ones, after the Recording Academy created a Best Asian Pop category earlier this year. BTS said it hopes music can be heard and loved beyond divisions of region or language.
BTS has received five Grammy nominations without a win, according to its record cited in the extraction. The Grammy nominees are scheduled to be revealed on November 16, and it is not yet known how the new Asian pop category will affect future submissions.
The players
BTS
A South Korean boy band that has become one of the best-selling and most influential acts in global pop music.
Stray Kids
A South Korean boy group managed by JYP Entertainment that has built a large international fanbase.
Recording Academy
The organization that administers the Grammy Awards and is governed by a voting body of roughly 15,000 music professionals.
JYP Entertainment
A major South Korean entertainment company that manages Stray Kids and other K-pop artists.
The details
BTS, which returned from compulsory military service and released Arirang as a tribute to its Korean roots, stated in July that it decided not to submit for Grammys this year. JYP Entertainment confirmed that Stray Kids also refused to submit its work to the Recording Academy and declined further comment.
Timeline
2025: Beyoncé won Best Country Album, prompting the category to be split into contemporary and traditional divisions.
Earlier in 2026: The Recording Academy announced a Best Asian Pop category.
July 2026: BTS announced its decision not to submit for Grammy consideration.
November 16, 2026: Grammy nominees are scheduled to be revealed.
Industry Dynamics
The Recording Academy's 2025 split of Best Country Album after Beyoncé's win and its 2026 creation of a Best Asian Pop category both reflect a pattern of responding to genre visibility with new subcategories. Critics such as Mathieu Berbiguier argue that separating artists this way removes them from mainstream competition.
Fans who follow BTS and Stray Kids will not see Arirang or other submitted work judged in Grammy categories this cycle, which affects how awards coverage shapes which artists get broader attention. Listeners can still stream both groups' full catalogs on major platforms regardless of awards decisions.
The takeaway
Awards categories shape how audiences discover music, so changes to genre divisions can quietly influence which artists are seen as competing at the top level. Following official announcements from the Recording Academy is the most reliable way to track how these categories evolve.
What happens next
Grammy nominees will be revealed on November 16, 2026, offering the first public view of how the new Best Asian Pop category is being populated.
Further reading
Explore more Pop coverage for context on how K-pop acts are reshaping global chart and awards conversations.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Vulture.
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