3 BTS Frontmen Gear Up for the 2026 Grammys—Will the "Curse" Be Broken?

  

Throughout more than a decade of their career, BTS has achieved 483 wins out of 692 nominations at various award ceremonies around the world. At the MAMA awards alone, BTS has earned 50 trophies as of 2023.

 

BTS is also the only K-pop group to have graced the stages of the big four American music award shows: the Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and MTV Music Video Awards. They have also won awards at three of these four major ceremonies and hold the record as the most-awarded group in Billboard Music Awards history, with 12 wins.

 

 

Therefore, both BTS and ARMYs have long hoped for a Grammy win to complete the group's already massive collection of accolades. From 2021 to 2023, BTS received five consecutive Grammy nominations in categories such as Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Dynamite" and "Butter," as well as for their collaboration with Coldplay on "My Universe."

However, the group went home empty-handed each year, despite receiving high praise from both critics and fans. ARMYs have repeatedly expressed disappointment, suspecting that the Grammys "'exploited' BTS's popularity to attract attention but refused to give them proper recognition."

It wasn't only fans who raised these concerns—several major international media outlets also questioned the fairness of the awards, even suggesting possible racial bias. According to Elle, in the article "BTS Deserves a Grammy, but Do The Grammys Deserve BTS?", the author argued that BTS's repeated snubs might be linked to the Grammys' history of discrimination against non-white artists.

The Penisula, The Straits Times, and Hindustan Times likewise echoed the sentiment that "it is racist... if you're not white and from the U.S., you have no chance," questioning whether the Grammys were "using BTS's fame to boost viewership without actually awarding them."

 

Even so, BTS and ARMY have never given up! We have always maintained an unbreakablewill to "pave the way," "stand against unfairness." and never abandon ourbig dreams. In 2025, three BTS members submitted their solo works for Grammy consideration, demonstrating their strong determination and desire to prove themselves not only as "K-pop stars," but as true global artists.

According to insider reports, Jin submitted his album "ECHO" for Album Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Album. The track "Don't Say You Love Me" from the same album was also entered for "Record Of The Year" and "Best Pop Solo Performance"—some of the most prestigious Grammy categories.

 

Meanwhile, J-Hope brought his signature energy with "Killin' It Girl," which was reportedly submitted for "Bes Pop Duo/Group Performance" and "Best Music Video." His project "Mona Lisa" was also submitted for "Best Pop Solo Performance," "Best Global Music Performance," "Song Of The Year," and "Record Of The Year."

 

RM, the leader of BTS, also joined the race by submitting his collaboration with raper Megan Thee Stallion titled "Neva Play," which promises to deliver a fresh take on the Korean-American fusion sound.

 

As the official nominations are still under review, global fans are placing high hopess on the BTS trio. Will 2026 finally be the year BTS breaks the long-standing "Grammy curse?"

One thing is certain—regardless of the outcome, BTS will continue to write their inspiring musical legacy, where passion and identity know no limits.