'This wasn't for BTS': Grammy official accuses group of using boycott for 'press campaign'

BTS' decision to stay out of the 2027 Grammy Awards has sparked another wave of controversy after a Recording Academy committee member accused the K-pop supergroup of turning a conversation about representation into a publicity campaign.

The seven-member group recently announced that they would not submit their music for consideration at the 69th Grammy Awards, saying they did not want their work to be evaluated based on geography or language. The move came shortly after the Recording Academy introduced the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, a decision that has divided fans, artists and industry insiders.

While Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr publicly expressed disappointment over BTS' decision and defended the new category, one of the people involved in advocating for its creation has now delivered a strongly worded response, claiming the group's stance has overshadowed years of work aimed at improving Asian representation within the Grammys.

Committee member says BTS misunderstood the category

Zeena Koda, who serves on the advisory committee for the Recording Academy's Gold Music Alliance and was involved in pushing for the category's creation, responded through a series of social media posts.

Explaining the intention behind the award, she wrote:

"People don’t understand the complications of trying to change + evolve Grammy categories, and what the aim was in general of trying to introduce Asians as a formidable force within the Grammys.

It’s really sad and disheartening to see how this entire thing has been addressed when so many people behind the scenes have been pushing to bring visibility for Asians in the Grammys (none of which has existed before), and landing on some form of representation was a real mission for a lot of us. This is a new category and nothing is perfect and its first iteration – in many ways this wasn’t a category for BTS at all. This was for artists that need more visibility and shine – NOT decades deep pop superstars.

BTS have always had the ability to apply to another pop category and what a lot of people are missing is the fact that it’s not the public that makes these decisions, it is a vetted group of music professionals artists in a membership community that genuinely, deeply cares about representation.

The irony of this entire thing was all of this was done to bring us closer together and to feel proud of the accomplishments the Asian pop artists have made to culture and continue paving the way for future generations of artists."

Also Read: BTS boycott Grammys over new 'Asian Pop' category; CEO Harvey Mason Jr issues statement

'It’s become a press campaign'

Koda argued that the conversation had shifted away from the purpose of expanding recognition for Asian artists and instead focused on negative publicity surrounding the Recording Academy.

She continued:

"Instead, it’s become a press campaign driven by a narrative that 100% was not the aim of creating this category. Why do I have a leg to stand on?

Because I was one of the people pushing to gain a category on the committee. The intent was always to help honor at the highest level of the academy, and that was clearly missed in the shuffle of this very baited argument. I’m also aware that pop is not the only category that Asian artists exist in, but this was always meant to be a first step in a broader direction to give us more voice and power.

Instead, we’ve been torn down by one of the biggest Asian artists, and it makes me really sad that there could have been a more meaningful conversation on the backend to understand what the actual aim of this was and have a dialogue, rather than taking a bold move like this to get more press.

Ween people talk about community and moving their community forward, I’m one of the people who has literally sacrificed my life to do that for others. In the Asian creative community, IRL and not just on the internet. Situations like this really make me question if we can ever really, truly be united as one front. A sad day for many of us who put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into it, really trying to move things forward, felt like we were making incremental steps, and then torn down by a bunch of people on the Internet, who don’t understand how the voting faction and nomination process actually works.

Nothing there has changed, and this category was not meant to be a final solve, but a step forward in the right direction.

It’s easy to talk about what change need to be made on the internet. But it takes real guts and dedication to be on the front lines and try to make systemic change on the front lines. Thank you to everybody, who has always remained true and trying to make real change both through the inside and outside ACTIONS and gotten off the Internet and f****** kept it real."

According to Koreaboo, her remarks quickly drew mixed reactions online, with some social media users questioning whether the creation of a separate Asian Pop category reinforces regional distinctions rather than promoting equal recognition across mainstream Grammy categories. Following the backlash, she switched her Instagram account from public to private.

Harvey Mason Jr defends the Recording Academy

Before Koda's remarks, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr had already addressed BTS' decision, saying he respected the group's choice even though he was disappointed by it.

"I am saddened to hear that BTS has chosen not to participate in the Grammy Awards process this year, but as a music creator, I understand and respect their decision," Mason said.

He maintained that the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category was introduced to celebrate the rapid global growth of Asian pop music rather than separate artists from the Grammys' highest honours.

Mason also emphasised that artists entering the new category remain eligible for General Field awards, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year, adding that genre recognition and overall Grammy recognition are not mutually exclusive.

BTS' Grammy boycott reignites debate

RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook simultaneously shared an identical message on their individual Instagram accounts, confirming they would not participate in this year's Grammy submission process.

"We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year. I hope music itself can be heard and loved rather than being distinguished by region or language. Thank you to the ARMY and everyone for always being with me," the statement read.

Although the members never directly referenced the newly introduced Asian Pop category, the timing of the announcement prompted widespread speculation that the two developments were connected. Their decision marked the first time BTS voluntarily chose not to enter the Grammy race despite expectations that their comeback album, 'ARIRANG', would be among the strongest contenders for nominations.

The discussion also gained momentum after users noticed that BTS' Grammy performances of 'Butter' and 'Dynamite' were no longer available on the Academy's official website, although the videos remain accessible through BTS' official YouTube channel, BANGTAN TV.

Also Read: Did the Grammys get petty? BTS' 'Butter', 'Dynamite' performance videos vanish after group's boycott

BTS' history with the Grammys

BTS' decision to skip this year's submission process is particularly significant given the group's long-standing relationship with the Grammy Awards.

The septet became the first K-pop act to earn nominations in major Grammy categories, receiving recognition for songs including 'Dynamite', 'Butter' and 'Yet To Come'. Over the years, the group has frequently been cited as one of the artists that helped expand the global reach of K-pop within the US music industry, while also becoming a regular presence at the Grammy Awards through both performances and nominations.

Their latest album, 'ARIRANG', had been widely viewed by industry observers as one of their strongest Grammy contenders following its commercial success and critical reception. Earlier this year, BTS also won Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards, outperforming several major international acts.