By Honorary Reporter Crystal Grant from U.S.
Photos = Crystal Grant and Jordan Castleberry

New York has always been a lively place, but on Sept. 20, the excitement there reached new heights with the United Nations General Assembly. This event generated huge buzz due to the attendance, speech and performance of BTS in its role of special presidential envoy. 

As a huge fan of BTS since 2018, I initially felt a bit ridiculous fangirling over a Korean boy band, but the latter won me over with catchy songs and its mission to spread joy worldwide using methods beyond just music.

Having BTS speak at the event was a power move. Over a million people watched the members speak at the U.N., and I suspect many who did were Army members.

In 2017, I attended a youth conference at the world body as a university student, but this was my first time genuinely getting excited over a speech at the assembly since that conference.

The group's message was primarily aimed at youth since this demographic makes up a large sector of its fan base. BTS is widely admired for its commitment to making a positive impact on the world, and Army members are known to follow in the group's footsteps. For example, BTS' many donations to charity both in Korea and abroad have caused fans to do the same on the birthdays of BTS members. This displays how deeply BTS inspires people, including myself. 

I stood there with crowds of people on a busy street, waiting by the sidelines and watching cars being escorted by law enforcement filled with diplomats and other political figures dash through the road. I knew the odds of spotting BTS near U.N. headquarters was low since the area was so heavily guarded, but I was excited to imagine that the members were in one of the cars passing by.

Thankfully, I wasn’t the only Army member hanging out there wrapped up in the excitement. I chatted with several fans on BTS' speech at the assembly.

Somalia Rose Muhammad said she was highly interested in politics and that President Moon Jae-in made a wise decision to appoint BTS his special envoy because getting the group involved in diplomatic issues fits its brand image.  

"I think that allowing BTS to discuss political issues fits their image because when I think of BTS, I think of highly intelligent and well-spoken individuals." she said. "They also tend to deeply care about issues on a global scale."

She also agreed with the group's preference of calling the younger generation "the welcoming generation" instead of "COVID-19's lost generation."

"COVID-19 has only been here for two years, so I don't think it's appropriate to label us as a lost generation because we won't let two hard years define us. I think our generation has shown strength and resilience by being involved in activism. We aren't letting the losses over COVID-19 define us. Instead, we're welcoming and fighting for positive change," she added. 

Fellow fan Lalisa Wongchai also agreed with BTS on not mislabeling this generation.

"I really connected with Jin when he said, 'Let’s live on, let's live the best of this moment!' because it reminds me to keep pushing forward even in hard times," she said. "I got a job I really love during the pandemic, so it reminds me to always keep fighting."

Among other hot topics BTS spoke about at the assembly was vaccination against the coronavirus. Jordan Castleberry, who watched the speech online, said discussing vaccines was the right move because people getting their shots are important for global health.

"I'm glad they mentioned the vaccine in their speech because when you get the vaccine, you aren't just protecting yourself, you're protecting everyone," she said.

kalhong617@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.