Fans of K-pop supergroup BTS have rallied online to express outrage after their favorite band was excluded from the Grammy nomination list for the Album of the Year award.
🎉 Congratulations 62nd #GRAMMYs Album Of The Year nominees: @boniver, @LanaDelRey, @billieeilish, @ArianaGrande, @HERMusicx, @LilNasX, @lizzo, and @vampireweekend.
Get to know the nominees: https://t.co/8InXvH67b2 pic.twitter.com/69tJtrEcTv
— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) November 20, 2019
BTS’ fan base, known as the ARMYs, took to social media to express their disappointment in the academy after the announcement was posted on Wednesday.
Of course I’m disappointed but am I surprised? No. This won’t invalidate all of their amazing achievements & worldwide impact. They’ve worked so hard + created history this year & we were there to witness it. I’m very proud of @BTS_twt. Let’s keep working hard 🔥
— Rosan 💜 (@xCeleste___) November 20, 2019
like…..no matter what criteria they pick for choosing nominees bts have it all. sales, music, popularity, sold out tour, and constantly breaking barriers…….theyre so much better than some of the nominees and are being snubbed on WHAT basis???
— vasu (@finndamcron) November 20, 2019
The Korean pop group has achieved so much in recent years, including selling over 40.7 million albums worldwide and becoming the first band since The Beatles to earn three Billboard No. 1 albums in one year, according to BuzzFeed.
They also made history as the first K-pop presenters at the Grammys earlier this year.
BTS have made history and changed formulas which industry experts thought were set in stone. I feel lucky to have been on this planet at the same time to watch them work. #ThisIsBTS
— olivia jones (@ThatOliviaJones) November 20, 2019
As a response to the announcement and to show support for their favorite group, many ARMYs started using the hashtag #ThisIsBTS on Twitter, which soon began trending on the social media platform.
#ThisIsBTS who unites us 💜
This is what is looks like when ARMYs around the world come together to show their love for @BTS_twt. I’ve never seen this map shine so bright ✨ (PST)
We love BTS a little extra today 🥺 pic.twitter.com/31JUOZtBF2
— BTS • ARMY Research 🔍 (@ResearchBTS) November 20, 2019
Some fans, however, felt that the Recording Academy only invited BTS as members just for the “clout.” The group was invited in June to become members of the Recording Academy as part of its drive to help diversify the Academy’s membership, Billboard reported.
dont wanna hear shit ab bts needing to do better or armys needing to work harder. this is not on us or them. this is on the recording academy and their refusal of acknowledging bts outside being of a social phenomenon . they look at them and they see clout, not their worth
— ☆jay (@hoyavmin) November 20, 2019
Nominated or not, BTS fans will always support their favorite group.
whether or not BTS receive any nominations, it doesn’t take away from the fact that they’ve accomplished so much and surpassed boundaries not just in the kpop industry, but the music industry as a whole. nothing will ever take away from that
— hami ʷⁱᵛ ˡᵘᵛ (@relijoon) November 20, 2019
