What BTS’ Grammy boycott tells us about the problem with ‘Asian pop’ as a label

K-pop supergroup BTS has announced that they will not be entering their music for the 2027 Grammy awards. The decision seems to be a response to the addition for 2027 of the category “best Asian pop music performance”. The Grammy rulebook describes Asian pop as a “distinct and globally recognised form of popular music”. The new category is intended to reward recordings that make “meaningful use of one or more Asian languages”. Announcing their withdrawal from the Grammys on their Instagram…