On Monday, the seven-member musical juggernaut took the stage in front of the famed green-marbled background in the General Assembly hall for a sustainability event to help promote U.N. goals for 2030, including ending extreme poverty, safeguarding the planet, and achieving gender equality.
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| Credit: Courtesy of BTS | Twitter |
It was a United Nations statement by superstar K-pop band
BTS that drew the most attention — a plea for immunizations, young people, and
the environment’s well-being.
Every choice we make is the beginning of change, not the end.
– RM
The pop idols were introduced by South Korean
President Moon Jae-in as special presidential envoys and an “exceptionally
brilliant group of young men who are connecting with youngsters all across the
world.”
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| Credit: Courtesy of BTS | Twitter |
The musicians in front of world leaders and United
Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres were acutely aware of the gravity of
the situation.
When band member Jimin fumbled over his words while
talking about young people trying to manage the pandemic, it was clear that he
was nervous. Jimin apologized and took a deep breath to regain his composure.
It was a moment that inspired the “BTS ARMY” of fans to unite behind him on
social media in a show of support. During their seven-minute statement, the
performers took turns on stage.
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| Credit: Courtesy of BTS | Twitter |
But it wasn’t entirely about the United Nations’
objectives. The band also debuted a new music video for their current hit tune “Permission to Dance,” which was shot at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. While
dancing from the General Assembly hall to the courtyard overlooking the East
River, the singers sang, “Don't need to talk the talk, just walk the walk.”
The group made its second visit at the United Nations on Monday. In 2018, the band took part in an occasion where RM discussed its work with UNICEF.
BTS has gained international acclaim for their self-produced music and activism, which includes publicly calling out anti-Asian xenophobia, since its inception in 2013. In 2020, the band reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 list three times and received nominations for major music awards such as the Billboard Music Awards and the MTV Video Music Awards.