The Grammys wanted to give Asian pop its own stage. Instead, its new category has triggered fresh drama involving K-pop’s biggest names.
BTS rejected the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category and chose not to submit music for the 2027 Grammys. Stray Kids followed. Now BLACKPINK is also out of the race, but not as part of the boycott. The group simply has no eligible entry.
The Recording Academy created the category for K-pop, J-pop and C-pop, requiring meaningful use of at least one Asian language. The eligibility window runs from 31 August 2025 to 28 August 2026.
Billboard had earlier viewed BLACKPINK as a potential contender after BTS and Stray Kids stayed out. But DEADLINE, released on 27 February 2026, presents a language-and-timing problem.
Tracks ‘GO’, ‘Me and My’, ‘Champion’ and ‘Fxxxboy’ are entirely in English. ‘JUMP’ contains Korean, but arrived on 11 July 2025, before the eligibility window, and had already been submitted for the previous Grammy cycle.
Their solo releases offer no way in. Jennie’s eligible songs are in English. Jisoo’s Korean songs came too early, while ‘EYES CLOSED’ with Zayn is entirely in English and ‘CLICK’ came after the deadline.
Lisa’s ‘Bad Angel’ is in English, ‘Goals’ uses English, Spanish and Portuguese, and Thai-rooted ‘SaWaDiKa’ arrived too late. Rosé’s ‘Messy’ and ‘On My Mind’ came too early, while ‘New Trick’ missed the cut-off.
The twist? BLACKPINK is out, but Rosé has already earned major Grammy nominations for ‘APT’ with Bruno Mars.
The controversy began with BTS, which said music should be heard “rather than being divided by region or language”. JYP later confirmed Stray Kids did not submit. Hyunjin said awards and records had never been their goal.
Now the category created to spotlight Asian pop finds itself under the spotlight instead.
