BTS Talks About "Speaking Yourself" At United Nations General Assembly

BTS were invited to speak as honorary guests at the United Nations General Assembly with UNICEF. There, RM took the stand with his brothers behind him to give an inspirational speech about the journey they’ve made with the “Love Myself” campaign.

“Last November, BTS launched the ‘Love Myself’ campaign with UNICEF, built in our belief that true love begins with loving myself.

We’ve partnered with UNICEF’s non-violence program to protect children and young people all over the world from violence – and our fans have become a major part of this campaign with their action and enthusiasm. We truly have the best fans in the world.”

— RM

RM continued on to recall how he was just an ordinary boy living in Ilsan, before he was the world famous artist named RM. Before he took on the role of a BTS member, RM was forced to try to fit the mold that society placed on him.

“I was born in Ilsan, a city near Seoul of South Korea. It’s a beautiful place with lakes, hills, and even an annual flower festival. I spent a very happy childhood there, and I was just an ordinary boy.

I tried to jam myself into the mold that other people made. Soon, I began to shut out my own voice and started to listen to the voices of others. No one called out my name and neither did I. My heart stopped and my eyes closed shut.”

— RM

He made the personal decision to ignore the status quo and pursue his own identity with music. All of the BTS members have overcome struggles and hardships, and RM knows there will be more to come.

“But I had one sanctuary and that was music. There was a small voice inside of myself that said, ‘Wake up man, and listen to yourself.’

Even after deciding to join BTS, there were a lot of hurdles. Some people may not believe, but most people thought we were hopeless. And sometimes I just wanted to quit. But I think I was really lucky to not give it all up. And I’m sure that I, and we, will keep stumbling and falling like this.”

— RM

But he’s okay because he knows that every single part of him is what ultimately creates his identity, and he loves himself for it all.

“Maybe I made a mistake yesterday, but yesterday’s me is still me. Today, I am who I am with all of my faults and mistakes. Tomorrow, I might a tiny bit wiser and that’ll be me too. These faults and mistakes are what I am, making up the brightest stars in the constellation of my life.

I have come to love myself for who I am who I was and who I hope to become.”

— RM

RM believes that once we’re able to truly love ourselves, it’s important to speak about yourself. He wants to hear the many amazing stories that each and everyone has to bring to the world, and he wants you to be proud to let yourself be known.

“So let’s all take one more step. We have learned to love ourselves, so now I urge you to speak yourself.

I’d like to ask all of you, ‘What is your name? What excites you and makes your heart beat?’ Tell me your story. I wanna hear your voice and hear your conviction.

No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin color, your gender identity, just speak yourself. Find your name and find your voice by speaking yourself.”

— RM

He concluded by reminding everyone that hardships and struggles are inevitable but it can all be overcome by love. RM thanked his BTS brothers and his fans from all over the world for the overwhelming love and support that helped BTS become who they are today.

“After releasing our “Love Yourself” albums and “Love Myself” campaign, we started to hear remarkable stories from our fans all over the world – how our message helped them overcome their hardships in life and start loving themselves. Those stories constantly remind us of our responsibility.

BTS has become artists performing in those huge stadium and selling millions of albums right now – but I am still an ordinary 24-year-old guy. If there’s anything that I’ve achieved, it was only possible because I have my other BTS members right by my side, and because of the love and support that our ARMY fans all over the world made for us.”

— RM

Listen to RM’s full inspirational speech below: