ATEEZ’s Hongjoong Supports BTS’ Decision to Snub Grammys Over New Asian Pop Category

ATEEZ  leader Hongjoong is backing BTS  after the group decided not to submit their music for Grammy consideration.

In an interview with Variety’s Tiana DeNicola, the popular K-pop boy band’s leader was asked whether ATEEZ planned to submit their music for the awards show’s newly introduced Best Asian Pop category.

“I’ve seen the many articles, and I’d love to give that some thought as well,” Hongjoong said around the 28-minute mark in the video above. “I’m not sure because no one can know about the real reason they tried to make that title. No one can recognize the real reason. But it seems like, for me, $and this is$ very individual thinking: I think I agree $a little$ with what BTS did.”

The 27-year-old acknowledged that winning a Grammy is “a dream” for both himself and ATEEZ, but he also believes that music “has no boundary.”

In June, the Recording Academy revealed several new categories, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance. According to the Academy, the category aims to recognize “artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets.” Songs that make “meaningful use of one or more Asian languages” are eligible for consideration.

BTS, whose comeback album ARIRANG is primarily performed in English, announced in a joint statement that they would not submit their music for Grammy consideration.

“We have decided not to submit our music to the Grammys this year,” read the joint statement, according to a translation by Soompi . “We hope that music will be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being categorized by region or language. We are grateful to ARMY and everyone who is always with us.”

Last month, the Recording Academy revealed that it was reconsidering the category .

Nominations will be announced November 16, ahead of the February 7, 2027 ceremony.