BTS Gives Inspirational Speech For The "General James A. Van Fleet Award"

This year, The Korea Society awarded its highest honor to three outstanding recipients this year, and BTS was one of them.

The Korea Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of “awareness, understanding, and cooperation” between the United States and South Korea. Their highest honor, the “General James A. Van Fleet Award”, is awarded each year to Koreans or Americans for their outstanding contributions to the promotion of US-Korea relations.

The 2020 winners are BTS, American veterans who served in the Korean War, and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. To show their sincere gratitude for this prestigious and meaningful award, BTS gave an inspirational speech about hope and solidarity.

Jin began by talking about how we are all connected by music, no matter how different our timezones, cultures, and languages are.

V believes that the power of connection has made the impossible possible and made BTS the group they are today.

J-Hope touched on BTS’s “Hot 100” chart achievements, a sign that seven years of hard work have paid off in a big way. He also gave thanks to the people who stayed by BTS’s side and made their dream a reality.

Jimin sees BTS’s future reflected in their millions of fans around the world. Their response helps BTS understand the present and decide how to move forward in the future.

Through all his traveling, Jungkook has learned that people are not all that different, no matter where they come from. Everyone experiences the same emotions, and he sees music as a way for people to better understand one other.

Suga promised that BTS won’t lose faith in the power of connection and solidarity, and that they will continue to create new music and performances.

RM wrapped up the speech by speaking on the significance of the “General James A. Van Fleet” award, as well as the deeper connection BTS hopes to achieve as members of the global community.

This year’s Korea Society 2020 Annual Gala is especially meaningful as this year marks the 70th Anniversary of the Korean War. We will always remember the history of pain that our two nations shared together, and the sacrifices of countless men and women. After seventy years, the world we are living in is much closer than before, and boundaries and many aspects are getting more blurry than before.

As members of the global community, we should build deeper understanding and solidarity to be happier together. In pursuit of this cause, BTS will always remind ourselves of the meaning of the Van Fleet Award and keep doing our best in all that we do. Thank you very much.

— RM

Watch the video here: