BTS return with ARIRANG, set their sights on long-awaited Grammy win

BTS to win Grammy soon?

• BTS returns from hiatus with new album ARIRANG.
• Group aims for Grammy win after five past nominations.
• ARIRANG taps Grammy winners for global music collaborations

Did our AI summary help?

BTS are back—and this time, they’re chasing something that has long remained just out of reach.

After completing their military service hiatus, the group has returned with renewed energy and a clear goal: to once again make waves in the global music scene, especially in the United States.

Over the years, BTS have already ticked off most of the big milestones—topping the Billboard Hot 100, selling out stadiums, and sweeping major honours like the American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards and MTV Video Music Awards.

But one award still stands between them and a clean sweep—the Grammy Awards.

With their new album ARIRANG finally out, there’s a growing sense that this could be their moment. Some critics believe the record feels more intentional than ever, as if BTS are consciously pushing beyond their earlier image.

“The album appears to show BTS’ determination to move beyond its familiar image as a boy band,” said Lim Hee-yoon, a pop music critic. “With the American market clearly in its sights, the group’s desire for a Grammy is evident.”

BTS have come close before. From “Dynamite” to “Butter” and “Yet to Come,” they’ve earned five nominations over the years, even landing major nods through their collaboration with Coldplay on “My Universe.” And yet, the win hasn’t come—at least not yet.

“There’s a saying that no tree remains standing after 10 blows of an ax, but hoping for a Grammy after only two attempts may be too much to ask,” Suga said back in 2022, reflecting on the challenge.

This time around, BTS seem to be leaving nothing to chance. ARIRANG brings together a strong international lineup, including Grammy-winning producers like Ryan Tedder and Diplo, along with names like El Guincho and Mike WiLL Made-It.

Also Read: BTS: The Comeback Live tops Netflix charts in 77 countries after making historic comeback after 4 years

Early reactions have been promising. Rolling Stone UK called it “K-pop perfection,” while The Hollywood Reporter described it as “without a doubt BTS’ most experimental album to date.” Even the BBC noted that their return alone is “significant in and of itself.” Still, not every review has been glowing, with Consequence pointing out that parts of the album feel uneven.

Beyond the music, there’s also a bigger hurdle—breaking through the long-standing bias the Grammys are often seen as having towards K-pop, especially idol groups.