BTS declares Grammy boycott, gaining support from director Maggie Kang

The global fandom ARMY has responded with a powerful wave of support to the heavy message sent by BTS regarding the standards of the global music industry. Following the declaration of a boycott against the Grammy Awards, fans have provided support through streaming and global campaigns, while celebrities have continuously voiced their encouragement, expanding the impact of the movement.

According to music industry sources on the 30th, the track 'Aliens' from BTS's 5th full-length album has achieved an extraordinary record, topping the iTunes 'Top Songs' charts in 78 countries worldwide, driven by intensive streaming support from ARMY.

'Aliens' goes beyond a simple self-confession; it captures the identity and struggles of BTS as Korean artists living within the global music market. Like its title, which means 'strangers,' the song views their position—once placed outside the standards of mainstream culture—as a new possibility, containing a declaration that they will "create our own standards."

In particular, this song holds great significance as it directly confronts the prejudices and boundaries within the music industry that still exist even after the group's global success. The message—that language, nationality, and existing market rules should not be the criteria for judging an artist's value—resonated with fans in conjunction with the decision to boycott the Grammys.

Through 'Aliens,' BTS poses sharp questions to certain perspectives regarding their success. It is a declaration that they, having made history in the global pop market, are no longer subjects to be evaluated by existing standards, but are instead the protagonists creating a new order.

The recent movement by fans has transcended simple cheering. Centered around SNS, ARMY has empowered the members' choice by spreading hashtags such as '#WeStandWithBTS' and 'Proud_of_BTS.'

The relationship between BTS and their fandom has consistently shown a unique structure of solidarity. Beyond musical achievements, whenever the group faces moments of change, fans move voluntarily to create new records. A representative example of this cohesion was seen last year ahead of the resumption of full group activities, when they drove the 2018 release 'Anpanman' to the top of the US Billboard 'World Digital Song Sales' chart.

Support from celebrities has also followed. Following the public support from Epik High's Tablo the previous day, Maggie Kang, the Korean-Canadian director of the Netflix animated film 'KPop Demon Hunters,' also shared news regarding the boycott via SNS, expressing her support with clapping emojis.

Furthermore, Mike Will Made-It, the American producer who participated in the production of 'Aliens' and '2.0' from BTS's 5th album, joined the line of support by leaving the message "BTS ALIENS."

On the 29th, BTS announced through the SNS of the seven members that they would not submit their music to next year's 'Grammy Awards.' This is linked to the concerns surrounding the 'Best Asian Pop Music Performance' category newly established by the Grammys.

BTS is a representative global artist that has been knocking on the doors of the Grammys, one of the world's largest music award ceremonies. However, this choice is interpreted not as a simple declaration of non-participation, but as a challenge to the notion that K-pop and non-English music should be evaluated by being separated into distinct categories.

Music critics evaluate this situation as "a question of who will create the standards, rather than escaping the competition to win awards." Instead of proving their position once again, BTS is delivering a message that the path they have walked can itself become the new standard.

The boycott against the Grammys is likely not an end, but another beginning. At its center lies the massive solidarity of ARMY around the world who believe in and move alongside the choice made by BTS.