Stray Kids follow BTS in skipping 2027 Grammy Awards

Stray Kids, one of the world's biggest K-pop groups, have joined BTS in opting not to submit music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards, according to the BBC.

The decision follows the Recording Academy's introduction of a new category for Asian pop music, which has drawn criticism from those who fear it could separate genres such as K-pop and J-pop from the wider awards.

BTS announced in July that they would not submit songs for consideration in any category, saying they hoped their music "can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language".

Stray Kids, who recently secured their ninth US number one album, have now taken the same approach. Their record label, JYP, confirmed the decision in a brief statement: "Stray Kids did not submit for the Grammys."

The group had previously avoided giving a direct response when asked about the awards.

At a press conference for their latest album, This and That, in August, singer Hwang Hyun-jin said: "We have never once set award results or records as our goal.

"Our top priority is for our fans to be happy and satisfied," he added.

The decision is likely to be a setback for the Recording Academy, which organises the Grammys.

Stray Kids are hugely popular in the US and recently headlined the Governor's Ball festival in New York, where they shared the bill with Lorde and A$AP Rocky.

Only one other band has achieved more number one albums on the album chart: The Beatles.

Earlier this year, all eight Stray Kids members were given voting privileges at the awards, giving additional significance to their decision not to submit music. BTS are also voting members of the Academy.

Stray Kids' announcement came hours after Grammys boss Harvey Mason Jr confirmed that the new Asian pop category would be included at the 2027 ceremony.

"Over the past several weeks, the Academy has been conducting listening sessions and have been in dialogue with leaders of the Asian music community," he said in a statement.

"We heard candid feedback from people in our community who don't support the continuation of this category. We also heard from people who didn't have accurate information about the category, and having space to clear up misperceptions has been especially valuable.

"But by far, the loudest feedback we heard was from people who were enthusiastic supporters of the category, fellow music creators expressing their encouragement for keeping it."

He acknowledged that the decision "will not satisfy everyone" but said the Academy would continue discussions about the development of the award.

The Recording Academy announced the new category in June, saying it would recognise "artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets".

The award had been under consideration for several years. It was eventually introduced after Golden, from the film K-pop Demon Hunters, became the first K-pop song to win a Grammy in February.

"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 said at the time.

However, the new award received a mixed response. Some argued that it could make it harder for Asian artists to gain recognition in the main Grammy categories.

Others objected to a requirement that nominated songs make "meaningful use" of an Asian language.

That condition excluded two of the most recognisable Korean acts in the US, BTS and Blackpink, whose latest releases are primarily performed in English.

The debate over the Asian pop category echoes concerns raised by Latin artists about Grammy categories such as best música urbana.

Although such categories are intended to recognise music linked to particular geographic or linguistic origins, some musicians argue that they can be exclusionary by separating their work from major prizes such as album or song of the year.

That argument was challenged this year when Bad Bunny's Debí Tirar Más Fotos became the first Spanish-language album to win album of the year. Rosalía's Lux is also expected to feature prominently among next year's nominations.

Nominations due in December

BTS and Stray Kids could have competed for those major prizes but have instead chosen not to submit their music, signalling their concerns to the Recording Academy.

They may not be the only major acts to take that position.

Earlier this week, Kim Hong-joong, leader of popular boyband Ateez, said he was impressed by BTS's decision.

"I'd love to think about that too," he said in an interview with Variety Magazine.

"I'm not sure because no-one can know about the real reason they tried to make that [category]. No-one can recognise the real reason.

"But it seems like, for me... I agree [a little] with what BTS did."

The full list of artists who submitted music for consideration will become clearer when the Grammy nominations are announced on 10 December.