BTS will not appear on the 2027 Grammy Awards ballot, the seven-member South Korean group's withdrawal from this cycle following their debut nomination at the 63rd ceremony in March 2021. The Recording Academy's chief executive has issued a public response to the development.

The 2027 ceremony will mark the 69th Annual Grammy Awards. BTS's absence removes the most nominated K-pop act in Grammy history from the upcoming slate and reshapes the competitive balance in the pop categories.

What did the Recording Academy say?

The Recording Academy's CEO addressed BTS's decision directly — the first on-record acknowledgment from the organization overseeing the awards. The response signals how unusual the development is: BTS has drawn nominations at multiple Grammy ceremonies since 2021, emerging as one of the genre's most recognized Grammy contenders.

How has BTS performed at the Grammys?

BTS has earned multiple nominations but has yet to take home a Grammy. The group's ballot history:

• March 2021 — 63rd Grammys: "Dynamite," Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
• April 2022 — 64th Grammys: "Butter," Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
• April 2022 — 64th Grammys: "My Universe" with Coldplay, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

BTS remains the most nominated K-pop act in Grammy history. Beyond nominations, the group performed "Butter" live at the 64th Grammy Awards ceremony in April 2022 and presented at the 63rd Grammys in 2021.

Why would BTS skip the 2027 cycle?

The group's hiatus traces back to late 2022, when members began enlisting in South Korea's mandatory military service. All seven members — Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung-kook — returned to civilian life by mid-2025.

The eligibility window for the 69th Annual Grammy Awards runs from September 16, 2025, through August 30, 2026. BTS had not announced a full-group release within that window at the time of the opt-out.

What does this change in the 2027 race?

The withdrawal removes a recurring nominee from the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category and opens the field for other pop groups to compete. Solo material from individual BTS members, however, may still surface as separate entries on the 2027 ballot under their own names.

The Recording Academy has expanded its voting membership to roughly 13,000 members in recent years, adding thousands of international voters. The organization has invested heavily in global outreach and has implemented awards-show reforms aimed at international acts. BTS's withdrawal is the highest-profile K-pop skip in the academy's recent history.

Could BTS return for a future ceremony?

Nothing in the announcement forecloses a return. The Recording Academy's response emphasized ongoing engagement with the group's representatives, signaling that the door remains open for the 2028 Grammys and beyond. No full-group album has been confirmed for any future eligibility period, though BTS members have continued releasing solo material.