Artists signed to HYBE, YG Entertainment, JYP Entertainment and SM Entertainment, K-pop's four biggest agencies, reportedly did not submit music for the Grammys' new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, according to Grammy analysis site The Grammy Guru.
BLACKPINK, TWICE, Stray Kids and Hearts2Hearts were among the prominent acts absent from the submission list, The Korea Times reported. The category covers K-pop, J-pop and C-pop and debuts at the 69th Grammy Awards, set for Feb. 7, 2027, in Los Angeles.
The pushback began in July, when BTS announced it would not submit music to the Grammys, saying it hoped music could be loved as music rather than divided by region or language. Stray Kids followed in early October, one day after Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. confirmed the category would go ahead.
Critics argue a region-based category could box Asian artists into their own lane instead of competing in general field awards like Album of the Year. Mason has said the category was created to expand recognition, and that entering it does not rule out consideration in the general field.
Fan debate remains heated, and unconfirmed submission lists have circulated online, so details should be treated with caution until the Recording Academy releases official nominations.
The debate raises a question familiar to many faith-based artists: does a dedicated genre category spotlight a sound, or set it apart from the main stage? The Grammys' own gospel and contemporary Christian music categories offer one point of comparison.
Related Articles:
- BTS Skips 2027 Grammys, Says Music Shouldn't Be Divided by Region
- Stray Kids Join BTS Skipping 2027 Grammys Asian Pop Category
- Grammys Asian Pop Category: Who Could Be Nominated Without BTS, Stray Kids
