BTS in their commencement speech in YouTube Originals’ “Dear Class of 2020.”
K-pop band BTS is once more in a roll. Earlier today, the Bangtan Boys took part in YouTube Originals' virtual commencement celebration, "Dear Class of 2020." Over the weekend, the Korean boy band through their parent company, Big Hit Entertainment, donated to the Black Lives Matter movement the amount of $1 million. And BTS official fandom, the ARMY doubled the donation.Variety reported on June 6, Saturday that BigHit representative confirmed the donation. There was no official announcement from the Korean camp, but Black Lives Matter acknowledged the receipt last week.
The solidarity fund was given quietly to the movement after BTS issued a statement on Twitter last June 4 on their stand against racial discrimination. "You, I and we have all the right to be respected," they said and added, "We will stand together."
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Coming at the heels of the Bangtan Boys' million-dollar philanthropic effort, the ever-loyal and influential ARMY fans gathered as one for #MatchAMillion on Twitter. The campaign came as a call for the ARMY's to donate the same amount to BLM through One in An Army charity project. In less than 24 hours, the target exceeded more than expected.
Observers took the collective effort of BTS' decision to carry on a stand for BLM and the ARMY's initiative in response to the trending #whitelivesmatter and racist tweets. The move to drown out racists' remarks was carried out popularly by K-pop followers.
The 7-boy band is widely known for its humanitarian speeches and is wary of any political comments in the past. It will be recalled that BTS made a three-minute speech on Sept. 24, 2018, at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly to launch UNICEF's global partnership Generation Unlimited.
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YouTube's Dear Class of 2020
The Bangtan Sonyeondan graced the virtual graduation "Dear Class of 2020" sponsored by YouTube Originals in partnership with Michelle Obama's Reach Higher.
READ MORE: Dear Class of 2020 [YouTube]: Graduating Amid Protests and Pandemic
Individually, the BTS members gave their inspirational stories to the class of 2020, which were rooted in their personal experiences. RM, the group leader, opened their commencement spiels, encouraging the graduates to soar into another world as they break out from one world in a strange year.
Jungkook, the youngest member, rewatched his high school graduation video and realized how he has grown and continues to learn new things.
Jin, the oldest among them, shared how he found himself breathless in his effort to go after his friends' pace. He then recognized the need to take it slow and encouraged the class 2020 graduates to take it one step at a time.
One of the rappers, Suga, understood the feeling of being alone as if deserted on an island. He spoke about not being afraid and to get one's hand on what can be changed.
Jimin discussed more on his concern over the health and mental well-being of the graduates. He went on saying that there is a person in Seoul, referring to himself, who understands those who will go through emotional struggles.
BTS' lead choreographer, J-Hope, revealed moments of facing dead-ends in his music creation but he picks himself up and decides to trust himself. He reminds class 2020 graduates that they are leaders of their own lives.
For his part, V encouraged the class of 2020 to remember this day with photographs or memos. He shared how he started learning to sing and dance slowly but determined to do it with joy in his heart.
After the rest of the speeches and after-party performances from Megan Thee Stallion and CNCO, BTS capped the 4-hour long ceremony with three of their hits: dance track "Boy with Luv," sober "Spring Day," and the casual "Mikrokosmos."
Dear Class of 2020 - congratulations!
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