K-pop supergroup BTS meets Biden, discusses anti-Asian hate crimes

Record ID: 1675078

  • Title: K-pop supergroup BTS meets Biden, discusses anti-Asian hate crimes
  • Date: 31st May 2022
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (MAY 31, 2022) (REUTERS) WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY KARINE JEAN-PIERRE INTRODUCING MEMBERS OF THE K-POP BAND BTS WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (English) BTS GROUP MEMBER RM, SAYING: "And it is a great honor to be invited to the White House today to discuss the important issues of anti-Asian hate crimes, Asian inclusion and diversity." (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) BTS GROUP MEMBER KIM SEOK-JIN, SAYING: "Today’s the last day of AANHPI Heritage Month. We join the White House to stand with the AANHPI community and to celebrate.” (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) BTS GROUP MEMBER PARK JI-MIN, SAYING: "We were devastated by the recent surge of hate crimes including Asian-American hate crimes. To put a stop on this and support the cause, we’d like to take this opportunity to voice ourselves once again.” (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) BTS GROUP MEMBER J-HOPE, SAYING: “We are here today thanks to our army, our fans, worldwide who have different nationalities, and cultures, and use different languages. We are truly and always grateful." (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) BTS GROUP MEMBER JUNGKOOK, SAYING: "We still feel surprised that music created by South Korean artists reaches so many people around the world transcending languages and cultural barriers. We believe music is always an amazing and wonderful unifier of all things." (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) BTS GROUP MEMBER SUGA, SAYING: "It's not wrong to be different. I think equality begins when we open up and embrace all of our differences." (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) BTS GROUP MEMBER V, SAYING: "Everyone has their own history. We hope today is one step forward to respecting and understanding each and everyone as a valuable person." (SOUNDBITE) (English) BTS GROUP MEMBER RM, SAYING: "Lastly, we thank President Biden and the White House for giving us this important opportunity to speak about the important causes and remind ourselves of what we can do as artists. Once again, thank you very much." WHITE FLASH BTS MEMBERS LEAVING WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING ROOM
  • Embargoed: 14th June 2022 20:46
  • Keywords: Asian Americans BTS K-pop South Korean supergroup U.S. President Joe Biden White House White House press briefing
  • Location: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
  • City: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Celebrities,Arts/Culture/Entertainment,United States
  • Reuters ID: LVA001190831052022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: South Korean supergroup BTS, a fundraising juggernaut for social justice causes in the United States, visited the White House on Tuesday (May 31) to discuss hate crimes targeting Asians with U.S. President Joe Biden.
    The meeting comes as May's recognition of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander month comes to a close amid a sharp upswing in hate crimes against Asian Americans in the past year.
    Attacks against people of Asian descent have escalated as some politicians and pundits have encouraged Americans to blame China for COVID-19, amid other tensions.
    The boy band's meeting with Biden was closed to media organizations.
    The K-pop stars are known for using their lyrics and social campaigns aimed at empowering youngsters since making their debut in 2013. Their fan base extends into older demographics, tying their spending clout to a generation that is internet-savvy and able to harness the power of social media.
    In June 2020, the group's fans put their energy behind an online campaign called #MatchAMillion to raise money for social justice causes in the United States. It hauled in $1 million in roughly one day, matching the donation of the band itself to Black Lives Matter.
    (Production: Njuwa Maina)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2022. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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