SEOUL, Aug 9 — Stray Kids have refused to reveal whether they will submit their music for the 2027 Grammy Awards, repeatedly sidestepping questions about the Recording Academy’s newly created Best Asian Pop Music Performance category.

The K-pop stars were pressed on their Grammy plans during a press conference in Seoul on Thursday to promote their 10th EP, This & That, but instead stressed that awards have never dictated the music they make, according to The Korea Herald.

Seungmin insisted the eight-member group has never approached an album with a particular trophy or record in mind.

“We’ve never once set out to make an album chasing a particular award or record,” he said.

“When we talk about the music or performances we love, it doesn’t come from how we’re seen from the outside — it comes from what’s inside us as we build a stage or write lyrics. It’s less about outside expectations around awards and more about capturing the sound and story we want to tell.”

But when specifically asked whether Stray Kids would submit music for consideration in the new Grammy category, Seungmin stopped short of giving an answer.

“I feel so thankful that K-pop, as a genre, is loved this much around the world,” he said. 

“It makes me realise all over again just how powerful music can be.”

Hyunjin similarly said the group remained focused on its own artistic ambitions rather than industry accolades.

“Throughout our time as Stray Kids, we’ve never once set our sights on a particular award or achievement when releasing an album,” he said.

“With this album, too, what we want most is to show and prove that we can do ‘this and that’ — anything and everything. That’s really our biggest goal and dream. Above all, we want our fans to be satisfied and happy.”

JYP Entertainment also declined to comment when asked by The Korea Herald whether Stray Kids intends to make a Grammy submission.

The uncertainty comes after BTS announced on July 29 that it would not submit its music for consideration for next year’s awards, saying it hoped music would be “heard and embraced for what it is, beyond region or language.”

The Recording Academy unveiled Best Asian Pop Music Performance in June as a new category for the 69th Grammy Awards.

Its introduction has sparked debate among fans and industry observers over whether creating a dedicated category will give Asian artists greater recognition — or risk separating them from competition in the Grammys’ established major categories.

Online submissions for the awards opened on July 7 and are due to close on August 21. Nominees are scheduled to be announced on November 16, with the ceremony taking place on February 7, 2027.

If Stray Kids does decide to compete, however, This & That may not necessarily be the release it puts forward.

Music critic Lim Hee-yun told The Korea Herald that the timing of the EP could work against its title track.

“It’s unclear whether they would submit the new title track,” Lim said.

“The album’s release date falls too close to the Grammy submission deadline, leaving too short an evaluation window to expect much impact. An earlier hit released within the eligible period would have a real advantage instead.”