BTS at UNGA: Top songs by the K-pop group tackling social issues

BTS arrived in New York to attend the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York, along with South Korean President Moon Jae-in from September 19 to September 23 as “special presidential envoy for future generations and culture”. 

The seven-member act enjoys a rare reputation among K-pop groups for addressing social problems in society through their music and trying to bring about change using their influence in pop culture.

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BTS’ music content has matured over the years and as a group they’ve gotten better with their first mini album, O!RUL8,2?, in 2013, focused on tackling issues in society.

Go Go from BTS, which approaches criticism of the materialism rife in society through parody, was also one of the famous soundtracks that was critically acclaimed for being socially conscious.

“The current generation uses phrases like YOLO and having fun squandering money, but I don’t think people think about why they use such terms so much even while using the terms,” said the famously ascetic member, who once gifted his fans transportation cards along with handwritten letters on his birthday. “It isn’t a BTS album if there isn’t a track criticizing society,” BTS member Suga told Soompi.

Let’s take a look at some more tracks from the past that fall in BTS’ socially conscious list:

No More Dream

This single by BTS in 2013 talked about how kids are forced to give up their dreams in order to appease their parents.

N.O

This soundtrack touched on how kids are forced to give up their dreams in order to appease their parents.

Cypher Pt. 4

BTS’ raps are strongly devoted to self-love. The lyrics in the chorus — “I love I love I love myself” — served as a precursor to their album title, Love Yourself: Her.

21st Century Girl

This song required help from Rap Monster with lyrics and composing this song about encouraging women to be strong. This track is seen as arguably one of the most feminist songs in K-pop, Jimin sings, “Tell them that you’re strong/ Tell them you’re enough.”