The global music landscape is experiencing a massive shake-up as the race for the 69th Grammy Awards takes an unexpected turn. While the Recording Academy recently made headlines by introducing a brand-new category specifically tailored for the genre—dubbed “Best Asian Pop Music Performance”—the excitement has been met with a surprising wave of walkouts. Following major announcements from K-pop boyband heavyweights BTS and Stray Kids opting out of submission, global girl group sensation BLACKPINK is now reportedly set to join them on the sidelines for 2027.
Inside BLACKPINK’s Grammy Miss: The Strict Rules That Blocked ‘DEADLINE’
According to reports from Mid-Day, BLACKPINK will miss out on the upcoming Grammy cycle due to strict eligibility hurdles surrounding their latest third mini-album, DEADLINE. Released on February 27, 2026, the five-track record—featuring “JUMP,” “GO,” “Me and My,” “Champion,” and “Fxxxboy”—landed right inside the official eligibility window running from August 31, 2025, to August 28, 2026.
However, technicalities kept the project out of contention. The track “JUMP” was dropped as an official single back on July 11, 2025, falling just outside the official eligibility start date. Meanwhile, the remaining four tracks (“GO,” “Me and My,” “Champion,” and “Fxxxboy”) were recorded entirely in English, meaning they reportedly failed to clear the Academy’s specific language criteria for regional placement. Consequently, individual solo releases from the BLACKPINK members also failed to qualify for consideration.
Despite the group’s absence from the main submission pool, K-pop still holds a massive spotlight this season. Member Rosé has scored three major nominations for her viral collaborative smash “APT.” alongside Bruno Mars. The global hit secured nods in the prestigious Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance categories, making history as Rosé becomes the first K-pop soloist to perform on the main Grammys stage.
A Growing Trend: Why BTS and Stray Kids Walked Away
BLACKPINK’s exit from the 2027 consideration pool follows a broader movement across the K-pop industry. Back in August 2026, BTS reportedly announced that they would not submit any music for the 69th Grammy Awards. Despite the Recording Academy pushing forward with the newly minted Asian pop category amid widespread industry criticism and pushback, all seven members of BTS took to Instagram to share identical statements officially withdrawing their work from consideration.
Shortly after BTS’s announcement, Stray Kids followed suit, confirming through their agency, JYP Entertainment, that they would also skip submissions for the 69th Grammy cycle. As these industry titans step back, all eyes remain fixed on how the Recording Academy handles its new categories and whether this mass withdrawal signals a broader shift in how major K-pop acts approach Western award ceremonies.
source: compiled from various sources
