Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The creation of a new Asian pop music category at the 2027 Grammy awards ceremony has faced pushback, particularly from Korea's BTS — arguably the biggest pop icon in Asia, and currently, the biggest boyband in the world.
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The group withdrew from the 2027 Grammys, saying music should be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.
The Recording Academy — organisers of the Grammy Awards — said the creation of several new categories, including Asian pop, is meant to make the ceremony more inclusive.
So, is the new category a long-overdue recognition of Asia’s growing influence on global pop or does it risk putting Asian artists in a box?
In this episode, host Mariko Oi speaks to BBC music correspondent Mark Savage and Asian pop commentator Andy Trieu about BTS’s relationship with the Grammys, which has for years been grappling with how to best reflect the rise of K-Pop. In the conversation, they try to answer the one question everyone seems to be asking: who gets to define what pop music is.
This episode was recorded on 20 Aug 2026.
Read more about BTS’ decision here: bbc.com/news/articles/clyjgyd0225o
00:00 Introduction
01:56 What is the Grammys’ new Asian Pop category, and why has it sparked controversy?
03:16 How did BTS fans react to the group’s announcement?
04:26 Why did the new category become so controversial?
05:58 How BTS performed at the Grammys but never won an award
06:44 Have there been similar backlashes over new Latin and African music categories?
09:03 What exactly is “pop” music?
09:52 Who gets to define what counts as “pop” music?
11:36 The Grammys’ immediate response to BTS’s announcement
12:54 Have any Asian stars welcomed or supported BTS’s boycott?
14:48 What would be the best middle ground for BTS and the Grammys?
Watch more episodes of Asia Specific here 👉🏽 youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz_B0PFGIn4c3njIxB0KHuO8SS2mBMtUc
Instagram: @bbcworldservice
Email: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk
Presenter: Mariko Oi
Producers: Derek Cai, Rachel Lee, Cordelia Lee
Camera: Muhammad Firdaus Bin Mohd Ansary, Rosalehin Bin Rosli, Khairul Danish Bin Mohd Roslee
Editor: Bill Birtles
----------------
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The creation of a new Asian pop music category at the 2027 Grammy awards ceremony has faced pushback, particularly from Korea's BTS — arguably the biggest pop icon in Asia, and currently, the biggest boyband in the world.
Click here to subscribe to our channel 👉🏽 bbc.in/3VyyriM
The group withdrew from the 2027 Grammys, saying music should be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.
The Recording Academy — organisers of the Grammy Awards — said the creation of several new categories, including Asian pop, is meant to make the ceremony more inclusive.
So, is the new category a long-overdue recognition of Asia’s growing influence on global pop or does it risk putting Asian artists in a box?
In this episode, host Mariko Oi speaks to BBC music correspondent Mark Savage and Asian pop commentator Andy Trieu about BTS’s relationship with the Grammys, which has for years been grappling with how to best reflect the rise of K-Pop. In the conversation, they try to answer the one question everyone seems to be asking: who gets to define what pop music is.
This episode was recorded on 20 Aug 2026.
Read more about BTS’ decision here: bbc.com/news/articles/clyjgyd0225o
00:00 Introduction
01:56 What is the Grammys’ new Asian Pop category, and why has it sparked controversy?
03:16 How did BTS fans react to the group’s announcement?
04:26 Why did the new category become so controversial?
05:58 How BTS performed at the Grammys but never won an award
06:44 Have there been similar backlashes over new Latin and African music categories?
09:03 What exactly is “pop” music?
09:52 Who gets to define what counts as “pop” music?
11:36 The Grammys’ immediate response to BTS’s announcement
12:54 Have any Asian stars welcomed or supported BTS’s boycott?
14:48 What would be the best middle ground for BTS and the Grammys?
Watch more episodes of Asia Specific here 👉🏽 youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz_B0PFGIn4c3njIxB0KHuO8SS2mBMtUc
Instagram: @bbcworldservice
Email: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk
Presenter: Mariko Oi
Producers: Derek Cai, Rachel Lee, Cordelia Lee
Camera: Muhammad Firdaus Bin Mohd Ansary, Rosalehin Bin Rosli, Khairul Danish Bin Mohd Roslee
Editor: Bill Birtles
----------------
This is the official BBC World Service YouTube channel.
If you like what we do, you can also find us here:
Instagram 👉🏽 instagram.com/bbcworldservice
Twitter 👉🏽 twitter.com/bbcworldservice
Facebook 👉🏽 facebook.com/bbcworldservice
BBC World Service website 👉🏽 bbc.co.uk/worldserviceradio
Thanks for watching and subscribing!
#BBCWorldService #WorldService #kpop #bts #btsarmy #grammys
