BTS have become the first K-pop band in history to address the United Nations. On Monday (September 24), the band’s leader Kim Nam-Joon, better known as RM, delivered a speech during the launch ceremony of UNICEF's global partnership Generation Unlimited at the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Last November, BTS launched the ‘Love Myself’ campaign with UNICEF, built on their belief that “true love begins with first loving myself”, as RM said in his speech. The campaign aims to raise awareness “against violence toward children and teens around the world, with the hope of making the world a better place through music”, as All K-pop previously reported.
Their appearance at the assembly this year was significant given the session's agenda, which was to “strengthen the dialogue with young people on their participation in conflict prevention and peacebuilding”, according to the UN’s website.
In his speech, RM outlined personal struggles with peer pressure and a lack of determination during his youth, and how he persevered and allowed music to “call my real name”. He urged self-love despite making mistakes, and concluded with a call to action to “speak yourself.”
BTS has two sold-out shows in Newark, New Jersey on September 28 and 29, ahead of another full house concert in New York’s Citi Field stadium in early October.
Watch the speech below.