The band has sold over 40.7 million albums worldwide and recently became the first band since The Beatles to earn three Billboard No. 1 albums in one year.
And despite all this success and cultural impact, the band was nowhere to be found when Grammy nominations were announced this morning.
🎉 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
This caused the ARMY (BTS's fanbase) to take to Twitter to show just how disappointed they are in the snub and to come together to show their support for the group:
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 🔥
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???
Many felt that the Recording Academy, which welcomed BTS as members over the summer, was just using them for clout.
na not only did they string armys along but they strung bts along too. inviting them personally to the grammys, having them photographed by exclusive winner photographer, their suits placed in the grammy museum and allowed to become part of the recording academy.
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
Others spoke up about the American music industry's lack of support for K-pop groups, and artists of color in general.
BTS having the best selling album in the world and having ppl tell them to "work harder" or "do better next time" is just another example of POC having to work triple as hard as anyone else and still seeing not even half of the rewards or recognition.
bts has been creating art for more than 6 years, if a white artist performed like bts, created albums like them with intricate storylines and details, and had the best selling album of the year with one of the highest grossing tours they would be worshipped.
Fans even got #ThisIsBTS trending worldwide, showing just how powerful and supportive their fans are.
#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 🥺
#ThisIsBTS, a group of 7 boys who dreamt the impossible, worked for it, and now living it. Artists who constantly make breakthroughs in the industry and somehow stay humble, genuine, and real. Above all they share love, and inspire us to do the same. @BTS_twt
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
Halsey, who's collaborated with BTS on "Boy With Luv," also spoke up about the snub.
deleting and ignoring all negativity. BTS deserved many nominations. I am however, unsurprised that they weren’t acknowledged. the US is so far behind on the whole movement. the time will come.
Fans are now dedicated to get the band's discography charting once again.
you know what time it is....time to chart bts's whole discography
We WILL make sure BTS end the year with the WW best-selling album of 2019. I want the industry absolutely embarrassed that a Korean album they looked down upon and snubbed to de’ath outsold all the manipulation and radioplay money could buy
And from the looks of it, they're pulling it off!
.@BTS_twt's entire Korean albums discography has re-entered the US iTunes chart.
If there's one thing to learn from this it's that, nomination or not, BTS (and their fans) will continue to thrive no matter what.
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