After BTS’ Withdrawal, Grammys CEO Defends New Asian Pop Category in 2027 Awards
The K-pop icons want their music to be judged by merit and not split up by region.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason, Jr. has defended the Grammys’ newly introduced Best Asian Pop Music category after BTS announced they would not participate in the 2027 awards.
Earlier this week, the K-pop powerhouse revealed that they would forgo submitting an entry for consideration in the new category, pointing out that music shouldn’t be divided by region.
“[We] hope that music can be heard and loved [for what it is], rather than being distinguished by region or language,” the South Korean superstars shared through their individual Instagram Stories. “Thank you to our ARMY for always being with [us].”
Responding to the group’s decision on Thursday, Mason said he was disappointed by the news, but respected BTS’ stance as a fellow artist.
“As a fellow music creator, I understand and respect their decision,” he said.
Mason went on to explain that the Best Asian Pop Music Performance prize was created to celebrate the depth, diversity, and growth of music and artistry coming out of the region.
“The spirit of this new category is to shine a dedicated spotlight on these important artists,” he wrote in a statement. “More categories mean more artists’ work is recognized. It’s never to divide, but to expand who is recognized by our 15,000 Grammy voters.”
The Recording Academy revealed the Asian pop music category when it unveiled new additions to the 2027 Grammy Awards. According to the organization, the award aims to recognize “artistic excellence” and the continued rise of Asian pop on the global stage.
The announcement garnered mixed reactions from fans. While some welcomed the category as long-overdue appreciation for Asian talent, others criticized the move, arguing that creating a separate award based on region could further isolate its acts from the Grammys’ main categories instead of promoting equal recognition. BTS’ decision to skip the category has since reignited those discussions online.
The 67th Grammy Awards will be held on February 7, 2027. Submissions opened on July 7 and will close on August 28.
Words by Geora Laine Mercene (with Currie Cator)