K-pop giants Stray Kids have joined BTS in boycotting the 2027 Grammy Awards, citing concerns over a newly introduced Asian pop music category. The decision follows the Recording Academy’s announcement of a contentious new award to recognize
The move comes after the Recording Academy introduced the Asian pop category in June, aiming to highlight
BTS first announced their boycott in July, stating they sought to ensure their music was judged on its merits rather than regional or linguistic boundaries. Stray Kids, whose latest album This and That marked their ninth U.S. number-one record, echoed this stance through their label JYP, which confirmed they would not submit for the awards. Singer Hwang Hyun-jin had previously emphasized that the group’s focus remains on fan satisfaction, not chart achievements.
The Recording Academy, which organizes the Grammys, faces mounting pressure as Stray Kids—recent headliners at New York’s Governors Ball festival—join a growing chorus of artists questioning the category’s intent. The group’s decision carries weight, as all eight members were granted voting privileges at the awards this year. BTS, which has also been a voting member, had previously criticized the category’s potential to segregate Asian artists from mainstream recognition.
Grammys boss Harvey Mason Jr. defended the category, stating that feedback from the Asian music community was
The Asian pop category, which requires nominated songs to
Critics argue the requirement risks excluding major K-pop acts like BTS and Blackpink, whose English-language releases would not qualify. Similar debates have surrounded Grammy categories for Latin music, with some artists feeling such awards inadvertently limit their visibility in broader categories. This year, however, Bad Bunny’s Spanish-language album Debí Tirar Más Fotos won album of the year, and Rosalía’s Lux is expected to feature prominently in next year’s nominations.
While the Recording Academy insists the category aims to reflect the
Stray Kids’ boycott underscores broader frustrations within the K-pop community. Ateez leader Kim Hong-joong recently expressed admiration for BTS’s stance, though he acknowledged the ambiguity surrounding the category’s motivations. As the Grammy nominations are set for release on 10 December, the decision by Stray Kids and BTS signals a pivotal moment in the ongoing dialogue between global music industries and award institutions.