What Happened to BTS Grammy Nominations and Wins?

Since their debut, BTS has risen to become one of the most influential global music groups, breaking numerous records and achieving widespread commercial success. Their journey with the Grammy Awards, however, has been a complex one, marked by multiple nominations but no wins as a performing act. The group first made history by becoming the first K-pop act to receive a Grammy nomination in 2020 for 'Dynamite' in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category. This initial recognition was seen as a significant step towards the Western music industry's acknowledgment of Korean-language music and Asian pop artists.

Over the subsequent years, BTS continued to garner nominations, including for 'Butter' and their collaboration with Coldplay, 'My Universe,' both in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category. Their track 'Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)' also received a nod for Best Music Video. Additionally, the group was technically included in Coldplay's Album of the Year nomination for 'Music of the Spheres,' which features 'My Universe,' though none of their own albums have been nominated in this major category. Despite these five nominations, the coveted Grammy trophy as a named performing act has remained elusive, leading to recurring disappointment among their global fanbase, ARMY.

The 2024 Grammy nominations saw a notable absence of BTS, with neither their group releases nor the solo works of individual members receiving recognition, further fueling discussions about the Recording Academy's approach to K-pop. While individual members submitted solo projects for consideration for the 2025 Grammys, with Jungkook's 'Seven' being highlighted, no confirmed nominations or wins for solo acts have been reported as of mid-2026.

A significant turning point arrived in June 2026 when the Recording Academy announced the introduction of five new categories for the 2027 Grammy Awards, including 'Best Asian Pop Music Performance'. This new category, intended to recognize artistic excellence in Asian pop music, immediately sparked debate within the Korean music industry regarding whether it represented genuine recognition or a segregation of the genre from mainstream categories.

In a surprising and impactful move on July 29, 2026, BTS collectively announced their decision not to submit any music for consideration for the 69th Annual Grammy Awards, scheduled for February 2027. The group stated their hope that 'music can be heard and embraced for what it is, beyond region or language'. This announcement, made weeks after the new Asian Pop category was unveiled, underscores BTS's long-standing pursuit of universal recognition for their artistry, rather than being confined to genre or regional classifications. The decision marks a pivotal moment in their relationship with the Grammys, signaling a potential shift in strategy and a continued emphasis on their artistic integrity and global appeal.