HYBE reportedly clarified that BTS' decision to not submit for this year's Grammys was not part of a label-wide boycott.
The company said other HYBE artists will continue submitting their work individually, while BTS chose not to submit after careful deliberation, saying the decision was made to "protect the status and pride of the kpop industry as a whole."
Major award shows which introduced K-pop/Asian related categories, majorly due to the impact of BTS:
• GRAMMYs (2027)
• iHeartRadio Music Awards (2024)
• Billboard Music Awards (2023)
• American Music Awards (2022)
• EMAs (2021)
• VMAs (2019)
🚨 HYBE stated, "This is not a boycott at the company level." An official said, "If other artists under our agency wish to submit entries, we plan to proceed with the submissions as scheduled."
In the music industry, analysts suggest that BTS's declaration could influence the moves of the other awards ceremonies, given that the four major U.S. music awards have recently all begun operating dedicated K-pop categories .
This is because other awards ceremonies faced similar criticism from fandoms when they established K-pop-exclusive genres prior to the Grammys.
#WeStandWithBTS
also THIS is what separates bts from every other kpop group btw. the genuine love and respect for their craft. it’s not just a paycheck or a straight shot to fame. this is their livelihood and they’re not willing to sell out a passion they almost once
"Let music be heard for what it is, not judged by the language it's sung in or the country it comes from."
THAT'S ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL STATEMENTS BANGTAN EVER MADE
Despite being among the strongest contenders for Album of the Year, Record of the Year, the newly introduced Asian-focused category, and multiple other awards, BTS have still decided not to submit their work for Grammy consideration this year.
BTS and HYBE's statement!
"We find it difficult to accept that this change in the Grammys' judging was made at a time when BTS was considered to have the highest chance of winning the main award." However, HYBE stated, "This is not a boycott at the company level." One official said, "If other artists from the same affiliation wish to participate, they will proceed as scheduled."