K-pop sensation BTS on May 31 attends a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (Screen capture from President Biden's Twitter)

By Kim Hayeon 

K-pop sensation BTS on May 31 was a guest of U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington.

President Biden, who invited the boy band to visit, greeted its members at the Rose Garden in front of the Oval Office.

Wearing white shirts, black ties and black suits, BTS members said, "It's an honor to meet you, Mr. President."

President Biden replied by saying, "Well, welcome to the White House. Come on up here, guys."

BTS member RM said, "We want to say thank you sincerely, for your decision like such as signing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law," adding, "So we just want to be a little help and we truly appreciate the White House and the government's trying to find solutions."

The president responded by saying, "People care a lot about what you say, and what you're doing is good for all people. It's not just your great talent, it's the message you're communicating. It matters."

BTS held a 35-minute closed meeting with the president. Afterwards, he posed with the group using the finger heart gesture and gave commemorative coins as gifts.

BTS' management agency Big Hit Entertainment said the group is the first Korean artist to visit the White House for talks with the U.S. president. 

In black suits, BTS members spoke about anti-Asian hate crimes to a news briefing at the White House before the meeting. 

Suga said, "It's not wrong to be different. I think equality begins when we open up and embrace all of our differences."

V added, "Everyone has their own history. We hope that today is one step closer to respecting and understanding each and everyone as a valuable person."

The Washington correspondent of the Korean daily Dong-A Ilbo on the same day said members of the BTS fan group Army surrounded the White House, adding that the briefing room saw a concert-like atmosphere with more than 100 participants in a space meant to hold 49 seats.  

More than 300,000 people simultaneously watched the White House's news briefing livestreamed on YouTube, far more than the several hundred that normally tune in.  

BTS leader RM (middle) on May 31 speaks to reporters at the White House's briefing room in Washington. From left are V, Jungkook, Jimin, RM, Jin, J-Hope and Suga. (Yonhap News)