the timing of a new “asian pop” category while a major asian act is having one of the most successful albums globally really exposes the problem: it’s segregation and not inclusion.
when non western artists are still underrepresented in major categories, it doesn’t feel like recognition for the asian music market, but containment. they deserve to win, but they cannot, so let’s give them a candy that excludes them a bit further. at least it looks pretty, right?
it’s unfortunate how the “how are you so shameless” line from aliens always hits.
remember when bts' hairstylist, who’s been with them since 2013, broke into tears while shaving jungkook’s hair for the military at 26? He had literally watched him grow up, styling his hair from the age of 16