Two of K-pop’s biggest acts are now skipping Music’s Biggest Night. Stray Kids will not be in the running at the 2027 Grammy Awards, following BTS in choosing not to submit their music for consideration.
According to NME, Stray Kids’ label, JYP Entertainment, kept its statement short and to the point: “Stray Kids did not submit for the Grammys.” The label did not give a reason, but NME notes that the timing points toward the Recording Academy’s newly introduced Asian Pop Music Performance category, which debuts at next year’s ceremony.
The new award is designed to recognize “artistic excellence” in Asian pop music originating from Asian markets, and entries must make meaningful use of one or more Asian languages. It has proven divisive since it was announced. Some critics have argued that it could box certain genres into a separate lane and make it easier for voters to honor Asian artists there without seriously considering them for top categories like Album of the Year.
BTS were the first major act to step back. “We have decided not to submit our work to this year’s Grammy Awards,” the group said in a statement reported by NME. “We hope music can be heard and loved for itself, beyond regions or languages. We are grateful to our ‘ARMY’ and everyone who has always supported us.”
Despite the pushback, the Recording Academy is sticking with the category. Grammys boss Harvey Mason Jr. acknowledged the concerns. “We heard candid feedback from people in our community who don’t support the continuation of this category.” He added that the Academy had also heard from people who didn’t have accurate information about it, and that “by far, the loudest feedback we heard was from people who were enthusiastic supporters of the category, fellow music creators expressing their encouragement for keeping it.” He admitted the decision “will not satisfy everyone.”
Stray Kids’ decision comes during a huge run for the group. Per NME, they topped the charts with their August album This and That, recently became the first K-pop act ever to headline Rock in Rio, headlined Governors Ball in New York earlier this year and released their concert film Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience in cinemas in February.
The 2027 Grammy Awards will be held Feb. 7. Submissions for the ceremony opened July 7 and closed Aug. 28.
With two of the genre’s biggest names now on the sidelines, all eyes are on whether more K-pop acts follow suit, and on how the new category plays out without them. Is the Asian Pop category a step forward or a step sideways? Let us know where you stand.
