[Anchor]

BTS has announced that they will not submit their music for consideration at the Grammy Awards. This decision appears to be an extension of criticism that the "Best Asian Pop Music Performance" category newly established by the Grammys last month acts as a measure that confines K-pop within the regional boundaries of Asia.

Reporter Kim Gyeong-hui has the details.

[Reporter]

Messages stating that they will not submit entries for the Grammy Awards were simultaneously posted on the social media accounts of all seven BTS members.

They wrote, "We hope music can be loved for what it is, rather than being separated by region or language."

Previously, the Recording Academy, which hosts the Grammy Awards, announced the creation of the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category starting next year, attaching conditions that the music must use languages from Asian countries and be based in the Asian region.

While the Academy explained this as "recognition of the growing influence of Asian pop in the global music industry," criticism arose that it erected barriers rather than expanding diversity.

Critics pointed out that the move restricts K-pop to Asian pop rather than global pop and aims to block K-pop stars from winning in the main categories.

After sweeping the Billboard Music Awards and the American Music Awards, BTS had continued to knock on the doors of the Grammys.

With hit songs like "Dynamite" and "Butter," they were nominated for three consecutive years starting in 2021, but ultimately failed to win an award.

Fans expressed their support by leaving comments on the Grammys' social media accounts saying, "BTS no longer needs to prove themselves through the Grammy Awards."

[Interview / Kim Do-heon / Music Critic : Through this declaration by BTS, controversies are expected to intensify regarding what Asian pop is and what aspects Asian artists submitting to the Grammys are pondering.]

Attention is now focused on how this decision by BTS, boasting the most powerful fandom in the world, will drive changes in the Western-centric music industry, including the Grammy Awards.

(Video Editing: Kim Jun-hee | Design: Kim Ye-ji | VJ: Oh Se-gwan)