After the BTS Boycott, Grammy Re-evaluates 'Asian Pop' Category: Global Fan Reactions [K-EYES]

*This content was translated by AI.

Following BTS's (BTS: Jung-kook, Jimin, V, Jin, J-Hope, RM, Suga) refusal to submit to the newly created Grammy Awards category "Best Asian Pop Music Performance," reports indicate that the Grammys are reconsidering whether to retain the category. Overseas fans have responded with mixed reactions.

The Recording Academy announced five new categories last June 16, including "Best Asian Pop Music Performance," which covers K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and others. However, on the 29th, all BTS members issued a joint statement saying, "We hope music is heard and loved for what it is, without being divided by region or language," and announced they would not submit to the 69th Grammy Awards (scheduled for 2027). Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, stated, "It pains us, but we understand and respect your decision," while reiterating the original intent behind the new category. Nevertheless, the controversy has not subsided, and recent reports indicate that the Academy has been holding successive meetings with representatives from the K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and Indian music industries to discuss potential restructuring of the categories.

In response to this news, a wide range of reactions emerged among fans.

The most prominent reaction was a sense of triumph from ARMY (BTS's fandom). One fan wrote, "The universe is always on BTS's side," while another mocked the Grammys' change in stance by saying, "Nothing happens without BTS and ARMY."

There were also significant responses questioning the original intent behind creating the new category. Some argued, "This incident proves that the category was created to remove BTS from the main awards. It had nothing to do with inclusivity; even ARMY and BTS were aware of this." Others pointed out more broadly that "once boundaries are drawn by region, successful non-English artists end up being pushed out of major categories like Album of the Year or Record of the Year." This aligns with analyses from overseas media suggesting that the creation of an Asian pop category was intended to curb BTS's market share in the United States.

Indeed, BTS's "ARIRANG" was last year's best-selling vinyl and CD album in the U.S. and spent three consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard 200, often cited as evidence supporting this interpretation.

At the same time, there were also considerable reactions filled with resentment toward BTS and ARMY. Some said, "Because of ARMY, other Asian groups are now unlikely to receive Grammy recognition," shifting blame for missed opportunities away from other artists. Others questioned why BTS, already sufficiently famous, needed to disrupt this category at all, placing responsibility on BTS itself.

In response, counterarguments were also raised. One user asked, "Why should BTS be blamed if the Grammys decide to drop the Asian pop category? Wasn't this category originally meant for relatively lesser-known artists? Shouldn't it have been maintained?" This expressed skepticism toward public opinion blaming BTS. Another fan countered, "Fans of other groups seem unable to understand. If the Grammys truly intended to promote inclusivity for pop music from Asian countries, they would have kept the category even without BTS's submission. The blame should be directed at the host organization, the Recording Academy. It is the Academy that created the category and is now considering canceling it."

Reports also emerged that, in light of this issue, the entire Recording Academy Board of Trustees and the Nominations Committee have decided to re-evaluate the process of creating new categories altogether. Among fans, there are cautious voices suggesting that "this controversy may not end as a mere incident but could lead to actual institutional changes." The Grammys' final decision is expected to be made ahead of the first round of voting, which begins on October 12.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.