BTS didn't win a Grammy, but that's OK because 'Dynamite' isn't even their best song

Dynamite is a lot of things.

The first English-language single released by BTS in August 2020 debuted at No 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the biggest debut on Spotify in the same year. It was also the lead single on the K-pop group's fifth album Be, and helped earn the band its first Grammy nomination, in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category.

While hopes were high that BTS could make history with a Grammy win, becoming the first K-pop ensemble to do so, those were dashed when Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande's Rain On Me won on Sunday at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards.

In a way, it wasn't all that surprising. For all the things that Dynamite is, there's one thing it arguably isn't: one of BTS's best songs.

It may be an unpopular opinion, but Dynamite, while uplifting and catchy, also feels generic, a bit bland and even uninspired at times.

There was a lot of hype surrounding the track when it released, because it featured the group singing in English for the first time. And they should be applauded for doing such an admirable job. But was the song good enough to win a Grammy? As proven at Sunday night's event, the answer is no.

Had they won, it might have even been a disservice to the group, who have been releasing music since 2013. One could even argue that if past singles such as Boy With Luv, Mic Drop or Idol could have been nominated, they would have fared far better in the category than Dynamite.

Songs don't necessarily have to be sung in English to be nominated for a Grammy, although the majority of them are. Since the first Grammy Awards in 1959, only one non-English song has won Song of the Year and Record of the Year: the Italian track Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu (Volare) by Domenico Modugno.

If there's any group out there that could potentially break this streak and be nominated for a non-English speaking track, however, it would be BTS. And I, for one, believe it'd be better if it were for a song that embodied who they are and what's made them so popular around the world; not one that seems to cater specifically to a Western audience.

So while it's disappointing that they didn't make history, there's still hope for what the future could bring.

After all, it's clear the world has taken notice of how brilliant the South Korean music scene is and, at some point, The Recording Academy will realise it, too.

Scroll through our gallery below to see BTS through the years:

FFP EXPLAINED

What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.

What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.

What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.

World Series

Game 1: Red Sox 8, Dodgers 4
Game 2: Red Sox 4, Dodgers 2
Game 3: Saturday (UAE)

* if needed

Game 4: Sunday
Game 5: Monday
Game 6: Wednesday
Game 7: Thursday

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”

While you're here

The National Editorial: The fragile future of jobs in the Middle East

Daniel Bardsley: Covid-19 effect on jobs – the occupations most at risk

Alice Haine: Sunak urged to rescue ailing car industry as production slumps

The squad traveling to Brazil:

Faisal Al Ketbi, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Khalfan Humaid Balhol, Khalifa Saeed Al Suwaidi, Mubarak Basharhil, Obaid Salem Al Nuaimi, Saeed Juma Al Mazrouei, Saoud Abdulla Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Zayed Saif Al Mansoori, Saaid Haj Hamdou, Hamad Saeed Al Nuaimi. Coaches Roberto Lima and Alex Paz.

The specs

Engine: 0.8-litre four cylinder

Power: 70bhp

Torque: 66Nm

Transmission: four-speed manual

Price: $1,075 new in 1967, now valued at $40,000

On sale: Models from 1966 to 1970

New UK refugee system

A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds