KB News Desk
Recording Academy’s review of new Asian pop category raises possibility of reversal, but Friday deadline leaves little time
With the Grammy submission period closing in a matter of days, the chances appear slim that BTS will reverse its decision not to submit music for consideration.
The Recording Academy, which oversees the Grammys, said Friday it would revisit its June decision to introduce the best Asian pop music performance category, raising speculation over whether BTS might reconsider its boycott of the 2027 awards.
But the entry period, which began in early July, closes Friday. Unless the Academy announces a significant change within days, industry observers say a reversal by BTS appears unlikely.
Big Hit Music, BTS’ agency, has not commented on whether the Academy’s latest move could affect the group’s decision. Hybe, its parent company, told The Korea Herald that it could not comment on the announcement.
The Academy has neither withdrawn the category nor announced changes to its criteria. BTS said when announcing its decision on July 29 that it hoped “music can be heard and embraced for what it is, beyond region or language.”
Music critic Lim Hee-yun said a major change just days before the submission deadline would be difficult.
“Artists from other Asian countries have presumably already submitted their entries for the category,” Lim said Monday. “Changing the judging criteria, or scrapping the category altogether, just days before the entry deadline doesn’t make sense.”
An industry insider expressed similar skepticism.
“With only days left in the entry period, I’m not sure it’s possible for the Grammys to announce anything in that window that would be enough to make BTS reverse its decision,” the insider said.
The Academy’s reconsideration follows two weeks of discussions between its leadership and representatives of music communities including K-pop, J-pop, C-pop and Indian music, according to a Billboard report Friday. Musicians, labels and managers participated in the discussions, including representatives from Hybe.
Asked what was discussed with Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., Hybe declined to comment.
The Academy is now convening its full board and Awards & Nominations Committee to consult with those music industry representatives on the category, with the stated goal of “honoring the music respectfully and accurately in this first awards cycle and determining how we best honor this music in the future.”
The move follows controversy over the new category amplified by BTS’ July 29 announcement that it would sit out the upcoming Grammys.
Mason responded the same day, saying he was saddened by the group’s decision but understood and respected it. He initially defended the category as an effort “to celebrate the depth, diversity and extraordinary growth of pop artistry coming out of Asia,” while emphasizing that artists submitting in the category would remain eligible for the Grammys’ General Field awards.
