SEOUL / LOS ANGELES: The Recording Academy has come under criticism after historic BTS performance videos were removed from its official website, days after the global K-pop group announced it would not submit its music for the upcoming Grammy Awards.
The missing content includes BTS’s Grammy stage performances of “Dynamite” in 2021 and “Butter” in 2022. Although the videos remain available through BTS’s official channels, their removal from the Grammy website has sparked questions among fans. The Recording Academy has not issued any official explanation regarding the change.
The disappearance of the videos followed BTS’s announcement that the group would not submit music for the 69th Grammy Awards, scheduled for February 7, 2027.
“We decided not to submit our work for the upcoming Grammy Awards,” BTS said in a statement. “We hope that music can be appreciated and loved for what it is, without being divided by region or language.”
BTS’s decision came amid growing debate over the Recording Academy’s newly introduced Best Asian Pop Music Performance category.
The category requires submitted songs to include at least one Asian language, a rule that has drawn criticism from some fans and industry observers. Critics argue that language-based categories could create limitations for Asian artists who produce music in English or other languages.
BTS’s recent album ARIRANG contains mostly English-language tracks, leading to discussions over whether the new category could affect opportunities for Asian artists in major Grammy fields, including Song of the Year and other general categories.
The controversy has prompted reactions from figures in South Korea’s entertainment and cultural circles. Hyundai Card CEO Ted Chung supported BTS’s stance, questioning whether separate regional categories could unintentionally isolate Asian musicians.
“Is it a misunderstanding to see this as isolating Asian musicians into their own separate box?” Chung wrote on social media.
He argued that global music recognition should not be determined by region or language, pointing out that many international artists perform in multiple languages.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. addressed BTS’s decision, saying he respected the group’s choice while defending the purpose of the new category.
“I am saddened to hear that BTS has chosen not to participate in the Grammy Awards process this year, but as a music creator, I understand and respect their decision,” Mason said.
Read More: Harvey Mason Jr. responds to BTS’s Grammy decision
He explained that the category was introduced to recognise the growing influence and diversity of Asian pop music and provide more opportunities for artists from the region.
However, some industry observers have warned that separate categories could risk limiting the recognition of international artists by placing them within narrower classifications.
Following the removal of the Grammy performance videos, BTS fans worldwide shared the clips across social media platforms, arguing that the group’s achievements cannot be erased by changes to online content.
Fans highlighted BTS’s historic Grammy appearances, nominations, and global influence, saying the debate reflects wider discussions about fairness, representation, and recognition in international music awards.
The controversy between BTS and the Recording Academy continues to fuel conversations about how global artists should be evaluated in an increasingly diverse music industry.
