Grammy CEO responds to BTS boycott declaration: "Not a distinction or discrimination against Asia" [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, which organizes the Grammy Awards, addressed the boycott by the K-pop group BTS.

Earlier, on the 29th, BTS members (RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, Jungkook) announced via their individual social media accounts: "We have decided not to submit our work to this year's Grammys. We hope music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being categorized by region or language."

Despite sweeping global charts in March with their fifth full-length album 'Arirang', the reason behind BTS's effective boycott of the Grammys appears to be singular. It is speculated that BTS criticized the Grammys' decision last month to create a new category, "Asian Pop Music Performance," which distinguishes music from Asian countries including South Korea, China, and Japan.

Eventually, the Grammy side also spoke out. On the 30th, CEO Harvey Mason Jr. released a statement through the official Grammy account, saying: "We were saddened to learn that BTS has decided not to participate in the Grammy Awards process, but as music creators, we understand and respect their decision."

Regarding criticism over the establishment of the "Asian Pop Music Performance" category, he explained: "This category was created to celebrate the depth, diversity, and remarkable growth of pop artistry emerging from Asia. It is intended to shine a spotlight on important artists, not to distinguish or discriminate against them."

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*This content was translated by AI.