Popular Korean boyband BTS has opted to withdraw from the upcoming Grammy Awards that are scheduled to be held in February of next year.
The news comes just one month after the Asian Pop Award was introduced, leaving many in shock.
The announcement came in the form of a coordinated post through Instagram with all seven members of the band uploading the same statement on social media. "We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year!" was the translation of the message online.
"I hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, instead of being divided by region or language!"- they revealed. Moreover, the band was widely expected to be in competition for some of the Grammys' major categories, including album of the year, after their comeback record dubbed Arirang, as it became the year's biggest seller.
But their English lyrics would have excluded it from the new Best Asian Pop music performance prize, which was shared last month. Many felt that instead of celebrating Asian artists, the Grammys had pigeonholed them.