As BTS declared a Grammy boycott, ARMY worldwide offered indirect support.
According to the latest iTunes tally, BTS’s fifth studio album track “Aliens” has topped the worldwide “Top Songs” chart for three consecutive days.
The song achieved an unusual resurgence four months after the album’s release. The track reached No. 1 on the “Top Songs” chart on the 29th, then held the top position on the 30th and 31st charts.
Behind the resurgence is the Grammy boycott. The members recently refused submission, stating, “We hope music is loved for itself rather than being divided by region or language.”
They expressed opposition to the Grammy’s newly established “Best Asian Pop Music Performance” category, interpreting it as separation from the main awards rather than a new opportunity.
The impact of this boycott was significant. Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. immediately clarified, “The intent of the new category is not exclusion, but a dedicated spotlight.”
However, following this statement, BTS performances (2021, 2022) were deleted from the Grammy website, further spreading negative sentiment.
Fans launched “Aliens” streaming projects on major music charts, adding momentum to this decision. Other songs including “Normal” also charted.
Celebrities also supported BTS. Director Maggie Kang of the film “K-pop Demon Hunters” posted news of them on social media and added a clapping effect.
American rapper and “Aliens” producer Mike WiLL Made-It added a “keep swimming” emoji alongside the mention “BTS Aliens.”
Professor Seo Kyung-deok of Sungshin Women’s University raised his voice, stating, “The Grammy should listen to music critics’ points and improve opaque judging criteria and discriminatory elements.”
Meanwhile, “Aliens” is a song in which BTS compares the identity and aspirations they felt while operating as Koreans on the global stage to that of an outsider.
