K-pop giants Stray Kids join BTS in boycotting the Grammys — SkimNews
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- Stray Kids joined BTS in boycotting the 2027 Grammys, with their label JYP stating simply: "Stray Kids did not submit for the Grammys."
- BTS announced their own boycott in July, saying they hoped their music "can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language."
- The controversial category was introduced after "Golden" from K-pop Demon Hunters became the first K-pop song to win a Grammy in February 2026.
- A stipulation requiring nominated songs to make "meaningful use" of an Asian language rules out BTS and Blackpink, whose latest releases are primarily in English.
- Harvey Mason Jr confirmed the Asian pop category will go ahead at the 2027 ceremony, saying the "loudest feedback" the Academy received was support for keeping it, while acknowledging the decision "will not satisfy everyone."
- Ateez leader Kim Hong-joon told Variety he was impressed by BTS's stance, saying he "agrees a little" but wasn't sure about the real reason behind the category.
- All eight Stray Kids members were granted Grammy voting privileges earlier this year, giving additional weight to their decision to withdraw; Grammy nominations are due December 10.
Why it matters: Stray Kids and BTS rank among the Grammy-voting Academy's most commercially powerful Asian members, and their combined boycott directly challenges the Recording Academy's claim that the new category reflects broad community support — particularly after the "meaningful use" language rule effectively excluded the two biggest Korean acts in America from contention.
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