Harvey Mason Jr., the chief executive of the Grammy Awards, has stepped onto social media to defend the organization’s newly introduced Asian Pop category for 2027.
In a move announced on Wednesday, BTS disclosed that they would not submit their latest comeback project, Arirang, to the 2027 Grammys, a decision tied to the introduction of the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category that has sparked debate across the music world.
The revelation drew a split reaction among fans, with some arguing that the category risks limiting the scope of Asian artists.
To ease tensions, Mason Jr. sought to clarify that the category was not crafted to target K-pop acts specifically.
He wrote that he was saddened by BTS’s choice not to participate in this year’s Grammy process, but as a creator himself he respects and understands their decision.
He went on to explain that the Asian Pop category was created to celebrate the depth, diversity, and rapid growth of pop music emanating from Asia and that the aim is to put a focused spotlight on these important artists.
Expanding the number of categories, he noted, means more artists’ work can be recognized. The intent is not to divide, but to broaden opportunity.
Before the new category’s announcement, BTS were widely viewed as potential major contenders in the top Grammys, such as Album of the Year and Song of the Year, given the success of their most recent album and its lead single, Swim. Yet the group would have been ineligible for the newly created Best Asian Pop Music Performance due to their English-language lyrics.
Throughout their career, BTS have received five Grammy nominations but have yet to win a trophy.
