K-pop supergroup BTS have appeared in the White House briefing room in a crackdown on anti-Asian hate crimes.
Members of the hugely popular boyband were invited to US President Joe Biden ’s abode to discuss the issue in the final day of Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Hate crimes against Asian people have risen dramatically since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre escorted the seven singers to the iconic podium, where they addressed the press but weren’t allowed to answer questions.
Addressing the room in English, Korean native RM said: “We're BTS and it is a great honour to be invited to the White House tonight to discuss important issues of anti-Asian hate crimes, Asian inclusion and diversity.”
“We joined the White House to stand with the AANHPI community and to celebrate,” BTS member Jin said in Korean, along with his bandmates.
“We were devastated by the recent surge of hate crimes, including Asian-American hate crimes. To put a stop to this and support the cause, we'd like to take this opportunity to voice ourselves once again,” added Jimin.
The group then thanked their “army” of K-pop fans for backing the crackdown on Asian hate crimes.
“We are here today thanks to our army, our fans worldwide, who have different nationalities and cultures and use different languages. We are truly and always grateful,” said J-Hope.
Jungkook added: “We still feel surprised that music created by South Korean artists reaches so many people around the world transcending languages and cultural barriers. We believe music is always an amazing and wonderful unifier of all the things.”
Suga then took his turn to step up to the podium said “It's not wrong to be different. Equality begins when we open up and embrace all of our differences.”
“Everyone has their own history,” V said when he took to the mic. “We hope today is one step forward to respecting and understanding each and everyone as a valuable person.”
RM concluded the appearance, again addressing the press in English.
“Lastly we thank President Biden and the White House for giving this important opportunity to speak about the important causes, remind ourselves of what we can do as artists,” he said. “Once again thank you very much.”
The K-pop group were then ushered into a private meeting with the president, who is a self-confessed fan.
Biden has been vocal in his rebuke of anti-Asian hate crime since he took office.
He has repeatedly condemned the former President Donald Trump ’s use of terms like the 'China virus' to refer to COVID.
In March 2021, Biden blasted the use of the term saying: “It's the coronavirus. Full stop,” after a shooter targeted Asian people at spas in Atlanta in a horror attack.
