Stray Kids will sit out the 2027 Grammy Awards submission process, with JYP Entertainment confirming on Friday, Oct. 2, that the eight-member group did not enter any music for consideration.

The label did not explain the decision, leaving Stray Kids’ reasons unconfirmed. The move places the group alongside BTS, which announced in July that it would not participate in the Grammy process following the addition of a best Asian pop music performance category.

BTS said its decision was a protest against the awards “being divided by region or language.” The group declined to submit music despite a major year for ARIRANG, which spent three weeks at No. 1 on the 200 albums chart.

While Stray Kids’ decision arrives amid the same controversy, JYP Entertainment has not established a direct connection between the new category and the group’s absence from the 2027 ballots.

The Recording Academy Is Keeping the Category

The best Asian pop music performance award has prompted months of discussion, including direct talks between the Recording Academy and members of the Asian music community.

In early September, more than 80 artists, executives and other stakeholders joined a virtual call with Recording Academy trustees and governors to examine the new category and its effectiveness.

Despite objections raised during the debate, the academy confirmed on Thursday, Oct. 1, that it intends to move forward with the award.

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said the organization had conducted listening sessions and held discussions with Asian music leaders over the preceding weeks. Mason said academy officials heard from people who opposed continuing the category, as well as participants who did not have accurate information about it.

However, he said the strongest response came from music creators who supported keeping the award.

“We understand this conclusion will not satisfy everyone, and that never feels good,” Mason said. “But at the same time, we are confident it’s the right conclusion for the music community overall.”

Mason had previously addressed BTS’ withdrawal, saying he was saddened by the group’s decision but understood and respected it as a music creator.

He also stressed that entering music in a localized, genre-based field does not prevent an artist from receiving consideration in the Grammys’ general categories. Mason described the Asian pop category as an effort to recognize the diversity and growth of pop music coming from Asia, rather than an attempt to separate artists.

“More categories mean more artists’ work is recognized,” he said at the time. “It’s never to divide, but to expand who is recognized by our 15,000 Grammy voters.”

Stray Kids’ Chart Momentum Continues

The lack of Grammy submissions follows a strong chart period for Stray Kids. Over the past year, the group has earned two No. 1 releases on the 200 albums chart: the November EP DO IT and August’s THIS & THAT.

The title track from THIS & THAT also reached No. 38 on the Hot 100.

Those results mean Stray Kids are stepping away from the 2027 Grammy process after securing both album-chart success and a Hot 100 entry. However, without further explanation from JYP Entertainment, the precise motivation behind withholding the group’s music remains uncertain.

What Happens Next?

The Recording Academy’s decision means best Asian pop music performance will remain part of the 2027 Grammy Awards despite the continuing dispute surrounding it. Stray Kids and BTS, meanwhile, will not have music in consideration after separately declining to participate in the submission process.

Whether Stray Kids will eventually address the reason for its decision has not been confirmed.