List of Big 3 + Big 1 Labels' K-pop Group Withdrawing from the GRAMMYs' Best Asian Pop Award Following BTS's Open Letter

 

When the GRAMMYs announced the Best Asian Pop Musi Performance category in July this year, BTS declared that they would not submit any songs for consideration that year. The group expressed their wish to be "heard and loved for what is, rather than being divided by region or language."

The statement received widespread support from netizens, critics, and industry professionals in both South Korea and internationally, while the GRAMMYs faced criticism. Although the Recording Academy later stated that it would review the issue, it ultimately decided to retain Best Asian Pop Music Performance category in early October, citing a "significant number of submissions" in its inaugural year.

The firs list of nominees for the GRAMMYs' Best Asian Pop Music Performance category will serve as an early test of the category's identity. However, contrary to te Recording Academy's earlier statement, some of K-pop's most iconic names are already missing from the category in its very first year.

According to several sources and major entertainment news accounts on X, no artists under the Big 3 + Big 1 labels—HYBE Labels, JYP Entertainment, YG Entertainment, and SM Entertainment—submitted entries for Best Asian Pop Music Performance at the 2027 GRAMMYs. The names mention include BTS, Blackpink, Stray Kids, TWICE, aespa, Le Sserafim, Hearts2Hearts, ILLIT, Cortis, and Ateez.

The absence of these K-pop artists has sparked speculation about the reasons behind their decision not to submit entries. Two possible explanations have emerged: the groups may share BTS's stance from July, or the eligibility criteria for the new category may be too restrictive for artists.

Notably, Billboard had previously identified Blackpink and Stray Kids as strong contenders for the new category. However, according to information currently circulating online, neither group appears to be in the running.

For Blackpink, the Best Asian Pop Music category has effectively become a narrow gateway for both the group's releases and its members' solo project. Their third mini-album, DEADLINE, released on February 27, contains five tracks. With the exception of "JUMP," the remaining four songs are entirely in English, making them ineligible for the category under the Recording Academy's rules. The members' solo releases face similar obstacles, either because they are performed in English or because they fall outside the eligibility period.

The case of Stray Kids is particularly noteworthy. Despite all eight members joining the Recording Academy as voting members this year, the group reportedly chase not to submit any for GRAMMY consideration. At a press conference on August 6, Hyunjin was asked about the matter and tactfully explained that awards and records had never been the group's primary goal; their top priority had always been making their fans happy. His remarks were seen as echoing the sentiment behind BTS's statement.

The situation has once again raised questions about the true purpose of the newly established Best Asian Pop Music Performance category. As the list of absent artists continue to circulate, fans around the world have been actively debating the issue:

● Thank you, BTS and ARIRANG, for paving the way once again. This is how you change the world.

● "We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language." K-pop is following their lead.

● Rare Big 3 win, honestly. It's really gret to see the artists and/or their companies have decided not to support this category, even though, for many of these artists, it would likely by their only opportunity to get a GRAMMY nomination, gives how the GRAMMY operate right now.

● Why did they even submit? Even if they win, it's an award created because the GRAMMYs don't want to give Asian artists the major awards. What kind of impressive career achievement is that?

● Thank you, BTS, for opening everyone's eyes to this disgusting act of racial segregation. This is what paving the way looks like.

● Oh, BTS, your impact needs to be studied. Standing with BTS will always be a wise decision.

● Good for them. They're all standing together and taking a stand. Thank you, BTS, for paving the way.

● Respect to all of them. These companies had artists who were close to being contenders for the award, yet they're standing up against racial discrimination. I think that's amazing.

● The GRAMMYs have never awarded a single Asian act in the major categories, and they thought it was okay to sideline them in this category. I'm glad people are taking a stand against the blatant racism. The AMAs, BBMAs, and VMAs have recognized Asian artists in their major categories.

● BTS said "F OFF," and the entire K-pop industry said the same. This is what influence and paving the way look like.

● Let's tell the truth. BTS had the results to back up their decision and refuesd to be put in that box! The others didn't have the same result and couldn't submit, so now they're turning into fake activism. BTS was the only one to refuse from the start. The others were to see how their releases would perform.

● But I'm seriously asking. Why did SM also follow the trend and choose not to submit? Isnt' SM basically in cahoots with Kakao behind all of this? Regardless, BTS will always be the standard and the first to do everything, even if antis keep making up  thousand and one excuses and claiming that "their faves aren't copying BTS." The reality remains the same. #BTSPAVEDTHEWAY #BTSBESTBAND