About a month ago, the company behind the Grammys launched a new category for Asian music. While some netizens celebrated the news, there was a lot of controversy online about the launch of another Asian music group in particular. With BTS’ decision to ban their comeback single ‘ARIRANG’ from being released, fans rallied behind the group to support their move. Now, Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr.
Grammy CEO reacts to BTS leaving Grammys in 2026
Following BTS’s public decision to withdraw from the Grammys for the upcoming season, the company’s CEO issued a statement expressing his dismay at the news. Variety shared his statement online, which said: “I am saddened to hear that BTS has decided not to participate in the Grammy Awards this year, but as a music producer, I understand and respect their decision.”He gave details of the new group of pop music in Asia that has been launched at the 2027 Grammy Awards. His words are, “I want to clarify something that seems to be lost in the discussion. The Asian Pop Group was created to celebrate the depth, diversity and incredible growth of artists coming from Asia. The spirit of the new group is to highlight the dedicated groups of dedicated artists. not to divide, but to expand those who are accepted by our voters 15,000 Grammys.”He also explained that an artist can submit their songs and albums to all groups, and that applying to a pop group in Asia does not limit any of the groups. “Those categories remain open to any suitable recording, regardless of genre. An artist can track all of these,” he said.
BTS’s official statement about returning to the Grammys for the 2027 awards season
Based on their Instagram accounts, all seven members of the K-pop hit group: RM, Suga, Jin, J-Hope, V, Jimin, and Jungkook posted the same statement in the announcement section. Their statement says, “We have decided not to submit to the Grammy this year. We believe that our music can be heard and loved for what it is, not divided by region or language. We thank ARMY and everyone who has always represented us.“BTS made a comeback after almost 4 years of hiatus earlier this year with ‘ARIRANG’, along with the lead single, ‘Wash’, which featured ‘Riverdale’ star Lili Reinhart in the music video.