Stray Kids Follow BTS in Boycotting the 2027 Grammy Awards

One of the world’s most prominent K-pop acts, Stray Kids, has confirmed they will not be participating in the 2027 Grammy Awards, aligning themselves with their fellow K-pop giants BTS in a shared boycott. The decision stems from widespread criticism regarding the introduction of a dedicated category for Asian pop music, which many artists and fans argue risks segregating the genre.

Earlier this year, BTS announced they would withhold song submissions for any category, expressing a hope that their work would be appreciated on its own merits rather than being categorized by region or language. Stray Kids, who recently achieved their ninth number-one album in the United States, issued a brief statement through their record label JYP confirming, “Stray Kids did not submit for the Grammys.”

The move represents a significant challenge to the Recording Academy. Stray Kids recently headlined the Governor’s Ball festival in New York alongside major acts like Lorde and A$AP Rocky, underscoring their massive popularity in the US market. Furthermore, all eight members of the group hold voting privileges at the awards, lending additional weight to their withdrawal. BTS members also possess voting status within the Academy.

Harvey Mason Jr., the head of the Grammys, recently addressed the controversy, stating that the Academy has been in dialogue with Asian music community leaders. While he acknowledged receiving candid feedback from those opposed to the category, he noted that the “loudest feedback” came from enthusiastic supporters who encouraged its continuation. Mason admitted the decision would not satisfy everyone but affirmed the Academy’s commitment to honoring Asian music.

The new category was formally announced in June, aimed at recognizing “artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets.” Its creation followed the historic win of “Golden” from the film *K-pop: Demon Hunters*, which became the first K-pop song to claim a Grammy earlier this year.

Despite the intent to highlight the genre’s global impact, the award has faced backlash. Critics worry it mirrors previous concerns raised by Latin artists about segregated categories, potentially excluding Asian artists from mainstream honors such as Album of the Year. Additionally, a requirement that nominated tracks must make “meaningful use” of an Asian language has already disqualified top Korean acts like BTS and Blackpink, whose recent material is primarily in English.

The debate echoes broader discussions within the music industry about geographic and linguistic categorization. This year, Bad Bunny made history as the first Spanish-language artist to win Album of the Year, suggesting that the lines between specialized and main categories may be shifting. Other Latin artists, such as Rosalía, are also expected to feature prominently in upcoming nominations.

With nominations scheduled for release on December 10, it remains to be seen whether other major Asian acts will follow the lead of BTS and Stray Kids. Kim Hong-joon, leader of the boyband Ateez, recently told Variety Magazine that while he understands the ambiguity surrounding the category’s origins, he shares some of BTS’s sentiments and is considering a similar stance.