Stray Kids, one of the world’s most prominent K-pop acts, have officially joined BTS in boycotting the 2027 Grammy Awards. The group’s label, JYP, confirmed the decision in a brief statement, noting simply that the band did not submit any material for consideration. This move arrives as the Recording Academy faces mounting criticism over its newly established Asian pop category, which critics argue risks segregating artists rather than integrating them into broader mainstream recognition. Stray Kids had previously refrained from giving a direct answer to questions about the awards. And having space to clear up misperceptions has been especially valuable, we also heard from people who didn’t have accurate information about the category.
The boycott gained momentum following a similar decision in July by BTS, who opted out of all categories. The members of BTS stated they hope for their music to be heard and valued for its own merit, rather than being categorized by language or region. During an August press conference for their latest album, This and That, Stray Kids member Hwang Hyun-jin emphasized that the band does not pursue awards as their primary goal, stating that their priority remains the satisfaction and happiness of their fans. Our top priority is for our fans to be happy and satisfied,” he added.
Grammys CEO Harvey Mason Jr. recently reaffirmed that the new Asian pop award will proceed as planned for the 2027 ceremony, despite the pushback. He acknowledged that the Academy held listening sessions with leaders in the Asian music community, revealing that while some creators were enthusiastic about the move, others expressed significant concern. Mason admitted the decision will not please everyone but promised that the institution would continue to engage in dialogue regarding the development of the prize. The prize had been under discussion for years. But the award received a decidedly mixed reception.
The Recording Academy first announced the category in June, intending to celebrate artistic excellence in Asian pop music that originates from or holds significant recognition within Asian markets. However, the requirement that nominated songs must demonstrate meaningful use of an Asian language effectively excluded major acts like BTS and Blackpink, whose recent international hits are largely recorded in English. According to as Asian pop’s influence has continued to grow within our process, our members and trustees felt this was the right moment to create a category that more accurately reflects the genre’s scale, artistry and global impact,” organisers, At the time.
This frustration echoes long-standing concerns from Latin artists regarding previous Grammy categories like best música urbana. While the stated goal is geographic representation, critics argue such distinctions often act as exclusionary barriers, keeping diverse artists away from top-tier prizes like Album of the Year. Despite these concerns, some successes have occurred; earlier this year, the K-pop song “Golden” from the film K-pop Demon Hunters made history as the first of its genre to win a Grammy. When Bad Bunny’s Debà Tirar Más Fotos became the first Spanish-language album to win album of the year, that perception was challenged this year.
The impact of this boycott is significant, given that all eight members of Stray Kids were granted voting privileges at the Academy earlier this year, joining their peers in BTS. The band has solidified its status as a major global live act, recently headlining the Governor’s Ball in New York and the Rock In Rio Festival, and currently holds a record of nine US number one albums—a feat second only to The Beatles in the album charts.
Other artists are now vocalizing their support for the stance taken by BTS and Stray Kids. In a recent interview with Variety Magazine, Ateez leader Kim Hong-joon noted that he felt impressed by the boycott, suggesting he is sympathetic to the reasoning behind the protest. As the industry awaits further developments, the official list of artists and works submitted for consideration will be made public when the Grammy nominations are unveiled on 10 December.
