BTS Did One Important Thing While Speaking At The White House Press Briefing — And Here Is Why Netizens Are Praising Them For It

BTS are making waves with their historic speech at the White House press briefing. The group met with U.S President Joe Biden to speak about diversity, racism, and discrimination against Asian communities.

They have been receiving much praise, not only from ARMY but also from Koreans who saw themselves represented by the members.

aww just saw this street interview where they asked people "what do you think of bts going to the white house?" and everybody answered "i'm proud of them as a korean" 😭 pic.twitter.com/kyzrLQZtiR

— 10.06.22⁷ (@prodK0YA) May 31, 2022

But one important thing BTS did during their speech at the White House press briefing has proved to be particularly meaningful for Koreans and Asian communities—and that is speaking in the members’ native language. It may seem small, but netizens everywhere are now expressing how touched they were to see someone speaking in Korean at the White House, particularly in a discussion about anti-Asian discrimination.

In fact, Korean reporter Kim Pil Gyu, who is JTBC‘s correspondent in Washington, described in an Instagram post that he found himself very moved upon hearing the BTS members’ address. Thinking about it, he realized it was because BTS delivered their speeches in their native language…

"After RM finished his opening remarks, Jin, Jimin, J-Hope, Jungkook, Suga, and V each gave their speeches one after another. Watching this stirred something deep in my heart.
I think this was b/c they spoke not in English, but in a familiar language that is our native tongue." +

— 🎼 yuri⁷ | JUNE 10 (@seoulocello) June 1, 2022

…when languages other than English are rarely heard in the White House briefing room.

"Ever since I came to Washington 2 years ago, there were hardly ever instances where I heard a language other than English being spoken at the White House briefing room.
I've always had to stay tense looking out for each and every sensitive word that comes from the podium. But +

— 🎼 yuri⁷ | JUNE 10 (@seoulocello) June 1, 2022

Hearing Korean being spoken there was a comfort to the reporter, who afterward asked an official from HYBE about it and was told that, in fact, BTS speaking in Korean had been a purposeful decision.

"+ today was the first time I could feel so relaxed while listening to a briefing.
When I asked a [Hybe] official afterwards, they tipped off to me that after thoughtful discussion, they purposefully decided to speak in Korean at the briefing." +

— 🎼 yuri⁷ | JUNE 10 (@seoulocello) June 1, 2022

According to Korean media, HYBE explained that the reason BTS chose to do so is because they are Korean, and the White House had not made any requests otherwise.

K-media:
HYBE shared why BTS spoke in Korean at the press briefing today: “They spoke/did it in Korean because they’re Korean” adding “There wasn’t a separate request from the White House”
🔗 https://t.co/UPNazr2XTf pic.twitter.com/OLP8hMvjQk

— lyssy⁷ (@btsbaragi_jk) May 31, 2022

Hearing how seriously the members take their roles as representatives of their culture, as well as of the Asian community at large, netizens are emphasizing that it is actions such as these that bring about positive change.

You know, in school, we used to be told “you need to be good in English so people will listen to you” but BTS speaks in Korean and the world still listens to what they have to say. Thank you for breaking that wall, among so many others that you’ve already broken, @BTS_twt 🥺

— 제시⁷ 🐳 (@jessikatsu) May 31, 2022

as a kid, would’ve been unimaginable to hear korean being spoken from the white house podium pic.twitter.com/IkjvsLVyKI

— Joon Lee (@joonlee) May 31, 2022

As a result, people everywhere, especially those whom BTS is representing, have been expressing their deep gratitude and pride in what the members have accomplished by simply choosing to speak in their language at a White House press briefing.