Grammy CEO Harvey Mason jr. has said he is "saddened" by BTS's decision not to submit their music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards, responding via social media after the group announced their withdrawal on July 29, 2026.

BTS shared their decision across each member's individual Instagram account, stating they would not enter any music for the 69th Annual Grammy Awards, scheduled for February 7, 2027, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The ceremony will air live on ABC, Disney+, and Hulu. Rolling Stone

The group's statement included a direct line about their reasoning: "We hope music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided into region or language." Rolling Stone

BTS's withdrawal is tied to the Recording Academy's introduction of a Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, one of five new categories announced for the 2027 awards. The category had already been established before BTS made their announcement. Rolling Stone

Mason addressed the concern that a regional category might confine artists. He stated that submitting in the Asian Pop category does not exclude an artist from being considered in general categories such as Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year. He also noted that the Grammy Awards has 15,000 voters. Rolling Stone

Mason's response came through social media, not through an exclusive interview. Variety had reported his reaction on July 29, 2026, the same day BTS made their announcement. Reuters and AP News also confirmed the group's decision that day.

BTS has been nominated for a Grammy five times — three times in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category and once in an album category — but has never won. The Washington Post

The group's latest release, Arirang, had been mentioned alongside other notable projects in Rolling Stone's earlier coverage of the 2027 Grammys timeline, before the withdrawal was announced. Rolling Stone

For BTS, the objection is categorical rather than personal. Their statement frames a regional award as a form of segregation by language and geography, pushing back against a structure they feel limits how their music is heard. Mason's counter is procedural: the same submission can compete in both the regional and general fields, and the voting body numbers 15,000 people. Whether that reassurance changes BTS's stance is, for now, an open question — the group has not indicated any plans to reconsider.