In A Video Uploaded To The White House's Official YouTube Channel Today, The BTS Members Explain Why They Are More Than Eligible To Do It.
On May 31, BTS (Bangtan Boys) made history when they were invited to talk with the president and vice president of the United States about anti-Asian hate crimes, discrimination, and the importance of Asian representation and inclusion. The group revealed the reason they accepted the invitation.
Their visit made many people proud, especially when they chose to speak Korean during the press conference before the meeting with the president. Korean reporter Kim Pil Gyu, a JTBC correspondent in Washington D.C., was present during the press conference and explained how much BTS' decision to speak Korean meant to him.
"Since I came to Washington 2 years ago, there has hardly been an incident where I have heard a language other than English spoken in the White House briefing room," he wrote on Twitter @seoulocello.
Such a moment of representation is part of the exact reason BTS was invited to speak at the White House. Some public figures and politicians tried to belittle BTS being invited to the White House to talk about such things. In a video uploaded to the White House's official YouTube channel today, the BTS members explain why they are more than qualified to do so.
Suga began, "As a South Korean artist and someone who watches beyond boundaries such as language and culture while traveling abroad, or seeing (our music) reach out to many people around the world on a tour, we wanted to talk about the power of diversity."
He went on to say that how their music brings people together, despite their differences, he hopes this positive trend can continue.
Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris admired the impact they had. "When we look at hatred and prejudice, it's meant to scare people, and it's meant to make people feel alone. And that's why he has no power." He continued, "When you all talk about it, you speak to people in a way that reminds them that they are not alone."
RM (Rap Monster) agreed, he said the group wanted to return all the love they received and use their voices to leave a positive impact. He said they respected and felt the responsibility of the task.
He shared that when BTS first heard President Joe Biden invite them to speak at the White House, they knew they had to come. BTS even reportedly paid for the trip themselves because of how excited they were about the importance of their message and visit.
President Joe Biden recounted what started his political journey by saying, "I am involved in public life because of civil rights." He gave some insight on his decision to invite BTS to the White House, "Even then, famous artists helped move people. What you guys do makes a big difference." (wk/goddess)
