In identical statements posted on the Instagram accounts of all seven members, the group said, “We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year.” The decision comes despite expectations that BTS would be a strong contender in several of the Grammy Awards’ top categories following the success of its comeback album, Arirang, one of the year’s best-selling releases. The new award, announced last month, received mixed reactions from K-pop fans, with some arguing that it separates Asian artists instead of recognizing them along with other global acts. Although BTS has earned multiple Grammy nominations and performed at the awards ceremony several times, it has never won a Grammy. The group joins a list of artists who have declined to participate in or publicly criticized the Grammy Awards, including The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, Morgan Wallen, and Drake, who have questioned the awards’ voting process and recognition of artists.