BTS Paid For Their Trip To The White House
BTS recently returned to South Korea after their trip to the United States.
On June 2 (KST), RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, and Jungkook arrived in Korea at Incheon International Airport following their White House visit. V returned home early to attend the VIP premiere of actor Kang Dong Won’s movie Broker.
BTS was in the United States briefly due to an invitation from The White House. They were asked to speak to conclude the celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
So, on May 31, BTS spoke publicly to reporters at Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre‘s press briefing. Immediately after, they met with President Joe Biden. In both meetings, the members touched on important topics, speaking about anti-Asian hate crimes, the importance of diversity, and inclusion.
We just want to be a little help and we truly appreciate the White House and the government’s trying to find solutions.
— RM
It was a historic day. BTS joined the likes of many iconic music artists such as Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and Whitney Houston to receive White House invitations, but they were all American. BTS is actually the first and only Korean act to receive a White House invitation, and only three, including BTS, have been invited to the Oval Office.
They [BTS] have been very vocal about the hate that’s happened in America. We’ve done events throughout the month with many prominent Asian American figures. This was just one to close out the month with someone who Asians all over the world look up to, especially Asians in America. Visibility matters, representation matters on screen. Them being prominently featured on the podium and with the President — I think it’s something great for young people all over the country to see Asians represented in the White House.
— White House official via Teen Vogue
📷 | Michael Jackson & BTS at the White House with Pres. Reagan (1984), Pres. Bush Sr. (1990) and Pres. Biden (2022). pic.twitter.com/05GPs6G5hk
— 𝘕𝘈𝘌𝘋 ◡̈ (@mjjNAED) June 1, 2022
BTS have been met with a tremendous amount of praise since their visit from netizens and President Joe Biden himself due to their manners, inclusion of their native language in the address, and more.
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.
— President Joe Biden
It was great to meet with you, @bts_bighit. Thanks for all you’re doing to raise awareness around the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination.
I look forward to sharing more of our conversation soon. pic.twitter.com/LnczTpT2aL
— President Biden (@POTUS) June 1, 2022
Now, there are even more reasons to praise BTS over their White House visit!
While reporters were not allowed to directly ask BTS questions at the press briefing, some did speak to White House representatives. So, journalist Soo Youn asked who funded the group’s trip to The White House. Allegedly, according to The White House’s sources, BTS paid because they wanted to. Teen Vogue also reported, “BTS paid for their own travel to the U.S.”
Oh, I asked if BTS paid for the trip or the WH paid and it was BTS. They paid their own way, this was something they wanted to do, per WH sources.
— Soo Youn (@lalasoo) May 31, 2022
Soo Youn’s tweet has gone viral as netizens admire BTS’s heart. Clearly, they chose to fund the trip because it was about a social issue they are passionate about, and they always use their platform for good.
This wouldn’t be the first time BTS funded a trip after being invited somewhere. Previously, they paid for their trip to speak at the United Nations.
They actually always do it for trips for causes they are genuinely passionate and caring about. It truly communicates the members’ characters!
Similarly, the members are known to donate to charities, leading by example. They notably donated $1 million USD to Black Lives Matter during an increase in anti-Black hate crimes.
우리는 인종차별에 반대합니다.
우리는 폭력에 반대합니다.
나, 당신, 우리 모두는 존중받을 권리가 있습니다. 함께 하겠습니다.We stand against racial discrimination.
We condemn violence.
You, I and we all have the right to be respected. We will stand together.#BlackLivesMatter— 방탄소년단 (@BTS_twt) June 4, 2020
Read more below:
BTS Explain Why They Decided To Donate $1 Million To The Black Lives Matter Movement
