2022 Grammy Awards: BTS Fans Worried the Grammys Will Once Again Use the K-pop Group For Clout
This Sunday is a big night for BTS. The K-pop superstars are nominated and will perform at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. BTS is no stranger to the show, having performed the past two years. They also received a nomination last year for the hit song “Dynamite.” However, fans worry history will repeat itself, and the Grammys will use BTS for clout.
BTS’ performance history at the Grammys
This will be the third time BTS will perform at the Grammys. In 2020, the guys hopped on stage with Lil Nas X for an “Old Town Road” remix. They were on stage for a short period of time during a performance celebrating numerous remixes of Lil Nas X’s breakthrough hit.
BTS received almost as much airtime during their reactions to other performers, with Jungkook famously crying during a Dolly Parton song.
In 2021, BTS was nominated for the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Dynamite” and invited to perform. Unfortunately, they could not attend the award show due to the pandemic, so they performed virtually. Before almost every commercial, the announcer would tease, “coming up, BTS!” Except they weren’t coming up. They were placed almost at the end of the 3.5-hour show in a rushed segment.
BTS recreated the same set the Grammys used in LA for other performers and gave a flawless, energetic performance. “Dynamite” ended dramatically on a rooftop in Seoul, Korea, showcasing the beautiful skyline.
Yet they didn’t receive a superstar introduction like everyone else. After their performance, Trevor Noah made a joke about how they rebuilt the Grammys set in Korea, and that was it.
BTS watched the broadcast in real-time in case the Grammys wanted to show their reactions while other performers were on stage. They were not shown on the broadcast outside of the “Dynamite” performance.
Fan says, ‘BTS doesn’t need the Grammys, but the Grammys need BTS’
The Grammys have not been shy about promoting BTS’ appearances on the broadcast. In 2020 they hyped their appearance as much as any other performer. BTS was shut out of nominations and only given 0.45 seconds on stage. Last year, they used “Dynamite” in commercials. This year, it’s “Butter.”
In 2021, after being snubbed the previous year, BTS lost Best Pop Duo/Group Performance to Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande. The entire experience enraged fans. The hashtag #Scammys started trending, with Page Six reporting one fan wrote, “Bts doesn’t need the Grammys but the Grammys need BTS #scammys.”
Now, BTS is nominated once again for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and has been slated to perform. This time, the group will be there in person and should have a solo stage, but fans have concerns about how the night will go.
Another wrote, “As usual, they want to increase the number of years they can use BTS’ validity to boost their own viewership,” they continued, “I don’t care about the #scammys, but I hate that the boys feel like their worth is measured by their acknowledgment.”
On Reddit, many fans chimed in with similar views, “Will they hold us all hostage again and put the boys last? Probably. Wouldn’t it be nice if they opened, though?”
Another fan responded, “just like last year, the Grammys are most likely using BTS for views by making them perform last out of everyone to keep viewers throughout their scam of a show.”
Las Vegas will turn purple for sold out stadium concert dates
ARMY would have been fine sitting this one out, but BTS is back at the Grammys in 2022. This year, the accomplished group could set another record. If they win Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, they’ll be the first K-pop group to take home a Grammy. The ceremony will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV.
Grammy or not, the city will be purple. While other Grammy performers and winners have played in smaller Vegas venues, BTS will perform two weekends at Allegiant Stadium on Apr 8-9 and Apr.15-16. The group sold out all four shows at the 65,000 capacity venue.
A Grammy award and solo performance have been career goals for BTS. This year, they should be able to check both boxes. But if history proves anything, fans shouldn’t count on the award going to BTS. Instead, maybe they’ll view the Grammys as a warm-up act for their stadium shows later in the week.
