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SEOUL, July 29 (Yonhap) -- Global K-pop sensation BTS said Wednesday it will not submit any music for consideration at next year's Grammy Awards, a move widely seen as a protest against the creation of a new "Asian pop" category that critics say risks segregating non-Western artists.

The septet made the announcement on social media, adding it hoped music could be "heard and loved for what it is, rather than being categorized by region or language."

The statement came less than two months after the U.S.-based Recording Academy unveiled five new award categories for the 69th Grammys, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance, designed to honor contemporary pop recordings from or widely recognized in Asian markets.

While the academy said the change was meant to improve recognition for Asian artists, many fans and industry observers immediately denounced it as a form of "musical segregation" that could sideline stars like BTS from the ceremony's top general-field prizes.

The Grammys have long faced criticism for being more conservative and exclusive toward non-white artists compared with other major U.S. music awards.

The backlash over the new Asian pop category echoes earlier controversies involving global superstars.

The Weeknd, the Canadian singer of Ethiopian descent whose 2020 hit "Blinding Lights" became one of the defining songs of its era, boycotted the Grammys after failing to receive a single nomination in 2021, calling the process "corrupt" and "lacking transparency."

More recently, "Golden," from the soundtrack to the Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" -- one of 2025's biggest commercial hits -- won just one Grammy in February, taking Best Song Written for Visual Media. Rose of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK went home empty-handed from the ceremony despite the strong chart performance of "APT.," her collaboration with Bruno Mars.

BTS has received multiple nominations, including three consecutive nods for best pop duo/group performance between 2021 and 2023, but has yet to win. This repeated snub has sparked criticism that the Grammys have failed to fully embrace non-English-language acts despite K-pop's massive global commercial success.

The group topped both the U.S. Billboard's main singles and albums charts with its fifth studio album, "Arirang," released in March.

BTS concluded its statement by thanking its fanbase, known as ARMY, and "everyone who has supported us," without elaborating on whether it might reconsider the decision in future years.

The 69th Grammy Awards are scheduled to take place in February 2027.

sshim@yna.co.kr

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