Major K-pop groups BLACKPINK, BTS, and Stray Kids are reportedly not submitting their music for consideration at the 69th Grammy Awards in 2027, signaling a significant shift in the K-pop industry's engagement with the prestigious annual event. This collective decision unfolds as the Recording Academy recently introduced a new "Best Asian Pop Music Performance" category. Despite the group's absence, BLACKPINK member Rosé has independently garnered three significant nominations for her collaborative track with Bruno Mars, "APT."
BLACKPINK's Group Eligibility Challenges
BLACKPINK is also expected to bypass the upcoming awards ceremony. Their latest third mini-album, "DEADLINE," which launched on February 27, 2026, reportedly faced disqualification. Although its release fell within the 69th Grammy Awards' eligibility window (August 31, 2025, to August 28, 2026), the album encountered two primary issues. Firstly, the track "JUMP" was released as a single on July 11, 2025, predating the eligibility start date. Secondly, the remaining four songs on the album — "GO," "Me and My," "Champion," and "Fxxxboy" — were performed entirely in English, which reportedly did not meet the language criteria for submission. Consequently, solo releases from other BLACKPINK members were also understood to be ineligible.
BTS and Stray Kids Opt Out
The decision by BLACKPINK follows similar announcements from other prominent K-pop acts. BTS publicly stated in August 2026 that they would not submit any music for the 2027 Grammy Awards. The seven members of the group shared identical messages on Instagram, formally confirming their withdrawal from consideration. Subsequently, Stray Kids also confirmed their decision to not submit music for the 69th Grammy Awards, a move verified by their agency, JYP Entertainment.
Rosé's Individual Achievements
In contrast to her group's situation, BLACKPINK's Rosé has achieved notable individual success. Her collaborative song "APT." with Bruno Mars has secured three major nominations: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Furthermore, Rosé made history as the first K-pop soloist to perform on the main Grammys stage, marking a significant personal milestone.
Context of the New Grammy Category
The Recording Academy's introduction of the "Best Asian Pop Music Performance" category occurred amid initial reports that BTS and Stray Kids were considering not submitting their work for the awards. Despite receiving criticism and pushback from various quarters, the Academy confirmed its intention to proceed with the new category. This development appears to have influenced the subsequent decisions by these major K-pop groups to withdraw their participation from the 2027 awards.
