As soon as the Grammys introduced the Asian Pop category in July, BTS announced that they would not submit any music for this year’s awards. The group said they wanted their music to be “heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.” The statement received widespread support from netizens, artists, and industry experts both in кσяєα and overseas, while the Grammys faced heavy criticism.
The Recording Academy later reviewed the matter after listening to feedback from various parties in the Asian music industry, including HYBE. On October 1, however, it ultimately decided to keep the Asian Pop category, stating that it had already received “a significant number of submissions” in its first year.
Despite the Grammys’ announcement, кσяєαn media have reported that several major K-pop names did not submit entries for the category this year!
Specifically, кσяєαn media reported that major groups such as BLACKPINK and Stray Kids reportedly did not submit their music for Grammy consideration this year following the introduction of the “Asian Pop” category. Although Billboard had previously mentioned them as strong contenders for the newly introduced category at the 69th Grammy Awards, both groups are ultimately absent from the race.
For BLACKPINK, the Asian Pop category has effectively become a “narrow door” for both the group’s releases and the members’ solo activities. Their third mini album, DEADLINE, released on February 27, contains five tracks. With the exception of “JUMP” (뛰어), the other four songs are performed entirely in English. Under the Grammys’ official rules, recordings performed entirely in English are not eligible for Best Asian Pop Music Performance.
“JUMP” does include кσяєαn lyrics, but it faces another obstacle. The song had already been released as a digital single on July 11 last year, rather than making its debut on DEADLINE. Therefore, based on the release timeline and this year’s Grammy eligibility rules, the track does not become a new option for BLACKPINK at the 69th Grammy Awards.
Even when looking at the members’ solo activities, the situation does not change much, as the releases in question are either primarily in English or fall outside the eligibility period.
The case of Stray Kids is even more notable, as all eight members joined the Recording Academy as voting members this year. Although they have the right to vote in selecting Grammy nominees and winners, they chose not to submit their own music for this year’s awards.
In its October 1 article predicting “Without BTS, Who Could Get an Asian Pop Grammy Nomination?,” Billboard had previously placed Stray Kids among the top candidates. The publication discussed the eligibility of songs such as “This & That” and “Do It,” while also suggesting “STAY” — a track dedicated to their fans — as a strong submission option.
Yet, as confirmed on October 2, Stray Kids did not submit any work for the 69th Grammy Awards. The submission period officially closed on August 21. Stray Kids have not disclosed whether the decision was related to the introduction of the Asian Pop category, but кσяєαn media have interpreted it as a move reflecting a stance similar to that of BTS.
Earlier, at a press conference on August 6, Stray Kids also avoided giving a direct answer when asked about submitting music for Grammy consideration. Member Hyunjin said that the group had never set awards or records as goals throughout their career, adding that their top priority was for their fans to feel happy and satisfied. The remark has drawn renewed attention following confirmation that the group did not submit any music.
The current situation has once again raised questions about the true purpose of the newly established Asian Pop category.
When the category was first introduced, the Recording Academy explained that Asian pop music had grown into a major force in the global music industry and deserved dedicated recognition for genres and scenes including K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and more. Yet in its very first year, several of the most iconic names in K-pop are absent from the category.
The first-ever list of nominees for Asian Pop at the Grammys is expected to serve as an early test of the category’s identity. If, rather than focusing on Asian artists who have entered the global market primarily through English-language music, the category puts greater emphasis on artists who make кσяєαn, נαραиese, Chinese, and other Asian languages a core part of their music, Asian Pop could take on an identity very different from simply becoming an award for “popular K-pop.”
