BTS’s song “Aliens” topped iTunes in 78 countries and territories after deciding not to participate in Grammy 2027.
A few days after announcing that they would not submit the album “Arirang” to participate in the 2027 Grammy Awards, BTS continued to attract attention when many of the group’s songs simultaneously increased in rankings on global digital music charts.
In which, “Aliens” topped the iTunes chart in 78 countries and territories, and some other songs in the new album also recorded a significant increase.
According to data from the digital music market, “Aliens” maintained the number 1 position on iTunes in many countries for four consecutive days.
Besides, the song “Come Over” from the albums “Arirang” and “MIC Drop” released in 2017 also returned to the charts after the group’s announcement.
At the same time, many posts from fans sharing songs from the album “Arirang” and expressing their views on BTS’s decision appeared on social networks. Hashtag #ArtHasNoAliens (tentatively translated: Art has no “aliens”) was used in many articles, associated with the song “Aliens” and the message that music should not be limited by region or language.
Some fan communities also plan to re-watch BTS’s performance at Gwanghwamun Square (Korea) at the time of the 2027 Grammy Awards ceremony. This activity is shared on many social media platforms as a way to show their companionship with the group.
Previously, on July 29, BTS announced that they would not submit the album “Arirang” and the songs in the album to participate in the 2027 Grammys. The group said they want musical works to be listened to and evaluated based on artistic value, instead of being classified by region or language.
BTS’s move was made after the US Academy of Recording announced a new category “Best Asian Pop Performance”, expected to apply from the 2027 season. This category is for pop works using Asian languages.
BTS’s decision has created many different opinions among observers. Some believe that adding a new category may expand recognition opportunities for Asian artists. Meanwhile, there are also opinions that regional and language division may spark debate about how international awards evaluate music outside the Western market.
This is not the first time BTS has mentioned the issue of language in music. Since their debut, members have shared the view that music is a means of connecting people and should not be limited by language or country. This message was repeated by the group when announcing the decision not to participate in the 2027 Grammys.
While discussions about BTS’s decision continue, achievements on digital music charts show that the group still maintains its appeal to international audiences. The fact that many songs simultaneously increased in ranking after the announcement of not participating in the Grammys reflects the interest of listeners in BTS’s new music products as well as the topics surrounding this decision.
