Some K-pop and Asian artists entered the new Grammy Asian pop category, while BTS, Stray Kids, and major labels declined.
October/18/2026 19:34
While BTS (BTS) and Stray Kids and others declared that they would forgo entry into the “Grammy Awards,” it was reported that some K-pop artists submitted entries to the “Best Asian Pop Music Performance” category. According to the music industry recently, IVE and KiiiKiii of STARSHIP Entertainment, FIFTY FIFTY of ATTRAKT, and solo singer Park Hyo-shin of Herbigharo submitted songs to the “Best Asian Pop Music Performance” category of the “Grammy Awards.” Not only Korean singers, but also Japanese singers such as Kenshi Yonezu, YOASOBI, Hikaru Utada, and AKB48, as well as singers from Taiwan and the Philippines, have finished submitting entries. Whether they will be nominated is scheduled to be announced at a later date. This stands in contrast to the actions of BTS, ENHYPEN, Stray Kids, aespa, NCT, TREASURE, and BABYMONSTER, who belong to the four major entertainment agencies (SM Entertainment, YG ENTERTAINMENT, JYP Entertainment, HYBE) that declared they would forgo entry after the new category was established. Artists who achieved strong results this year on major overseas charts, including the U.S. Billboard charts, such as BLACKPINK’s Jennie and ATEEZ, also did not submit entries. The discussion began in June of this year, when the Recording Academy, which oversees the Grammy Awards, announced the creation of the “Best Asian Pop Music Performance” category. It is an award category for pop music in Asian regions such as K-POP, J-POP, and C-POP. Although the purpose was to shine a spotlight on Asian music, there were pointed out concerns that grouping K-pop, which is already competing in the global music market, into a separate category by region or language could instead become a new barrier. In July, BTS declared that they would not enter the Grammy Awards. At that time, the members conveyed their feelings, saying, “We hope that music will not be distinguished by region or language, but will be listened to and loved as music itself.” The Grammy Awards side explained that submitting to the “Best Asian Pop Music Performance” category does not prevent challenges to major categories such as “Album of the Year,” “Song of the Year,” and “Record of the Year.” Their position is that they want to give more artists opportunities to win awards through a separate category. After that, the Grammy Awards side indicated the possibility of reconsideration while gathering opinions from the music industry, but ultimately decided to maintain the existing plan. In October, following BTS, Stray Kids also announced that they would forgo entry into the category. ・Stray Kids, following BTS, forgo entry into the “Grammy Awards”…JYP announces ・Even though BTS declared non-participation… the Grammys will proceed with the Asian music category as planned
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