Watch BTS Address UN With Empowering Speech For Unicef Campaign

25 September 2018, 16:26

Watch BTS give an emotional speech at the United Nations as a part of Unicef's 'Love Myself' campaign.

BTS took the floor to speak at the UN yesterday (24th September), as RM delivered an empowering message to young people as a part of the band's ongoing work with Unicef.

Unicef is an agency of the United Nations and ‘advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential’.

Famous YouTuber and personality Lily Singh, who is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, also spoke at the event.

A lot of people who are unfamiliar with BTS may not know that they have done a huge amount of work to raise awareness in ending violence against young people and improving mental health after launching their 'Love Myself' campaign almost a year ago.

For a long time, BTS’s music has reflected their ideals of empowerment, believing in yourself and living your truth. Which is why the speech, conducted by leader of the band RM, was centred around just that.

Firstly RM discusses losing sight of his dream as a child and feeling more desperate to fit in than pursue what he really wanted. Whilst this is probably an experience everyone has gone through at some point in their lives, in the environment we live in today with social media there is even more pressure to conform.

RM going on to specifically tell people to speak their truth, no matter their background. We cannot dismiss the significance of artists, who have genuinely connected with millions world-wide, standing up in front of countries which are guilty of persecution of minorities and endorsing tolerance. Not only did he say it but he said it with such gravitas that you could easily forget that he was speaking in his third language... which he taught himself!

Frustratingly, people who will not take the time to absorb the message that BTS has been reiterating for the past 12 months, might just dismiss this moment in history. They are missing out on finding the peace we all desire in our lives.

However, ARMY know and BTS know what to take away from this. People will doubt you, people will criticise you and you will make mistakes. Ultimately, you must embrace all the parts of who you are, good and bad, only then can you Love Yourself.