K-Pop Stars Address UN General Assembly

BTS members spoke at sustainability event
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Sep 20, 2021 4:51 PM CDT

It was a United Nations speech that got attention like few others—a plug for vaccines, young people, and the earth's well-being from superstar K-pop band BTS. Addressing the stage for a sustainability event, the seven-member musical juggernaut appeared before the renowned green-marbled backdrop in the General Assembly hall on Monday to help promote UN goals for 2030 including ending extreme poverty, preserving the planet, and achieving gender equality, the AP reports. "Every choice we make is the beginning of change, not the end," said RM, the band's leader.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in introduced the pop stars as special presidential envoys and an "exceptionally outstanding group of young men who are connecting with the youth across the world." The gravity of the moment wasn’t lost on the musicians standing before world leaders and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Nerves were evident when band member Jimin stumbled over his words while talking about young people trying to navigate the pandemic. Jimin apologized before taking a breath to recollect himself.

The artists took turns on stage during their seven-minute speech. But it wasn't all about UN goals. The group also unveiled a new music video for its current hit single "Permission to Dance," which was filmed at UN Headquarters in New York. Since its debut in 2013, BTS has garnered global recognition for its self-produced music and activism, which also includes publicly calling out anti-Asian racism. Monday's speech marked the group's second appearance at the UN. The band took part in an event in 2018, when RM spoke about its work with UNICEF.

(More BTS stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X