BTS took centre stage at the UN, over one million fans watched live
UNITED NATIONS: Amid the clutches of a pandemic, the conflict in Afghanistan and deadly storms exacerbated by climate change, more than 1 million people were transfixed by the United Nations on Monday. Not to watch a head of state, but rather a boy band: BTS.
The seven members of the
Korean pop group, a multibillion-dollar act known for its dynamic dance moves, catchy lyrics and frenzied fans, promoted the coronavirus vaccine and lauded young people for their resiliency during a nearly seven-minute speech at the UN headquarters in New York.
The band’s appearance came one day before more than 100 world leaders and representatives are to gather on Tuesday for the opening of the General Assembly, an annual conclave that was held mostly virtually last year because of the pandemic.
Accompanying President Moon Jae-in of South Korea, who designated them as special presidential envoy for future generations and culture, the band then showed a prerecorded video of their hit song “Permission to Dance.” The video showed the young crooners dancing in the empty aisles of the Assembly Hall — where presidents and autocrats have lobbed threats of annihilation and diplomats have staged walkouts — and later outside the complex.
The band’s legion of fans followed along intently on the
UN’s YouTube channel, flooding a live chat with gushing messages, many with purple heart emojis that have become a calling card. “I’ve heard that people in their teens and 20s today are being referred to as COVID’s lost generation,” said Kim Nam-joon, the band’s lead singer, who performs under the stage name RM (formerly Rap Monster).