BTS led by RM gives a powerful speech to the United Nations | Photo: Twitter/@spirngtaytee
BTS has just become the first K-Pop to deliver a speech to the United Nations, where they told young people to
The group went viral after BTS leader, RM (Kim Nam-joon), spoke at the ‘Generation Unlimited’ launch. Generation Unlimited is a campaign to ensure every young person is in education, training or employment by 2030.
Surrounded by his six bandmates, RN told the UN he faced a tough road to loving himself and how he became happier when he stopped trying to be what other people expected him to be.
‘I tried to jam myself into the other molds that other people made,’ RM said in his speech.
‘Soon, I began to shut out my own voice and listen to the voice of others. No one called out my name and neither did I. My heart stopped and my eyes closed shut. Like this, I—we—all lost our names. We became like ghosts. But I had one sanctuary, and that was music.’
👏👏👏@IISuperwomanII & @BTS_twt have inspired millions through our #ENDviolence campaign. Today, they teamed up with @unicefchief & world leaders to launch @_GenUnlimited – a new partnership to ensure every young person is in education, training or employment by 2030. #UNGA pic.twitter.com/MGetTcrCK4
— UNICEF (@UNICEF) September 24, 2018
Love yourself no matter what
The 24-year-old rapper admitted that even when he found fame with BTS he struggled emotionally. But RM said his past shaped him into the person he is today.
‘Yesterday’s me is still me,’ he said.
‘Today I am who I am with all of my faults and my mistakes. Tomorrow I might be a tiny bit wiser and that would be me too. These faults and mistakes are what I am, making up the brightest stars in the constellation of my life.
‘I have come to love myself for who I am, for who I was, and for who I hope to become.’
RM finished his speech with a powerful message to young people.
‘I want to hear your voice,’ he said.
‘I want to hear your conviction. No matter where you’re from, skin color, gender identity, just speak yourself. Find your name [and] find your voice.’
💯💜@unicefchief with @BTS_twt who have been passionate supporters of our work to #ENDviolence. Today, they are uniting at #UNGA to launch #GenUnlimited. pic.twitter.com/9clPA0ifyr
— UNICEF (@UNICEF) September 24, 2018
BTS is one of the most popular pop groups in the world and is the first K-Pop group to his the top of the US charts.
The group from the conservative and homophobic South Korea have been supportive of their LGBTI fans.
BTS has worked closely with gay producer, MNEK, and recommended music by LGBTI artists such as Kehlani and Troye Sivan.