Stray Kids’ Decision Not to Enter the Grammys Gains Support From Global Fans
Stray Kids have sparked a wave of discussion among global K-pop fans after it was revealed that the group did not submit any work for the 2027 Grammy Awards.
Rather than criticizing the decision, many international fans have described it as a “smart” and “strategic” choice, particularly amid controversy surrounding the Recording Academy’s newly introduced Asian pop category.
JYP Entertainment confirmed on October 2 that Stray Kids did not submit music for consideration at the 69th Grammy Awards, following reports from international media outlets including Billboard and the BBC.
The agency did not disclose why the group chose not to submit its work, nor did it clarify whether the decision was connected to the newly created Asian pop category.
The submission deadline for the upcoming Grammy Awards was August 21. Works that are not officially submitted are not eligible for consideration during the nomination and voting process.
Stray Kids Had a Strong Case for Grammy Consideration
The decision has attracted particular attention because Stray Kids appeared to have a strong chance of competing for Grammy recognition.
The group’s latest album, released in August, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, further strengthening its position as one of the leading K-pop acts in the global music market.
Stray Kids had also been mentioned as a potential contender for the Grammy’s new Asian pop category. In addition, all eight members of the group were invited this year to become voting members of the Recording Academy.
Given those circumstances, many fans were surprised that the group ultimately chose not to submit its music.
Why Fans Are Calling It a “Smart Choice”
Discussions on international K-pop communities, including Reddit, have largely shown support for the decision.
Some fans specifically pointed to the fact that Stray Kids followed a path similar to BTS, who had also been described as boycotting the Grammys.
Many argued that submitting music could have created a difficult situation regardless of the outcome.
If Stray Kids had been nominated but failed to win, critics could have argued that the Grammys still did not adequately recognize K-pop despite the group’s global achievements.
On the other hand, if Stray Kids had won the new Asian pop award, it could have reignited criticism over placing an already globally established genre such as K-pop into a separate “Asian pop” category.
In other words, some fans believe the group could have faced criticism whether it won or lost.
For those fans, staying out of the competition was seen as a calculated decision that allowed Stray Kids to avoid becoming part of the controversy surrounding the new category.
Not Everyone Agrees With the Decision
However, the reaction has not been universally positive.
Some international fans expressed disappointment, saying they wanted to see Stray Kids compete for a Grammy after the group’s impressive achievements in the global music market.
Others argued that the new Asian pop category should be viewed as an attempt to recognize music from across Asia rather than simply as a category created for K-pop.
From that perspective, some fans believe artists should participate first and allow the new system to evolve over time.
Is This Really a Grammy Boycott?
Importantly, JYP Entertainment has not officially described Stray Kids’ decision as a boycott, nor has the agency publicly stated that the group refused to participate because of the new Asian pop category.
Nevertheless, several Korean and international media outlets have characterized the decision as a potential “Grammy boycott,” particularly because it follows the similar stance associated with BTS.
The BBC reported that Stray Kids’ absence could be a significant blow to the Grammys, highlighting both the group’s potential strength in the new Asian pop category and the fact that all eight members had voting rights within the Recording Academy.
Stray Kids and BTS are also being discussed together because both groups have achieved major success in the global market while becoming increasingly prominent representatives of K-pop worldwide.
The BBC further raised the possibility that other K-pop artists could follow Stray Kids’ lead.
For now, however, Stray Kids’ exact reasons for not submitting their music remain unknown.
Whether the decision represents a deliberate protest, a strategic career choice, or simply a decision to sit out this year’s Grammy race, one thing is clear: Stray Kids’ absence has already become a major topic of conversation among global K-pop fans.