BTS, the global K-pop sensation, spoke at a White House press briefing on Tuesday before meeting with President Joe Biden to commemorate AANHPI Heritage Month.

According to a translator at the briefing, group member Jin stated that the group “stands with the AANHPI community.”

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Ji-min remarked that the organisation was “devastated by the recent surge of hate crimes, including Asian American hate crimes,” and that they were visiting the White House to “put a stop to this and support the cause.”

The band celebrated the diversity that can be observed in their fanbase, which spans countries, languages, and cultures. BTS has acquired an international fanbase, regularly selling out venues across the world.

“We still feel surprised that music created by South Korean artists reaches so many people around the world, transcending languages and cultural barriers,” a translator quoted Jungkook saying. “We believe music is always an amazing and wonderful unifier of all things.”

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President Joe Biden and the music group intend to address Asian representation, inclusivity, and anti-Asian discrimination in the United States in a confidential discussion in the Oval Office.

Stop AAPI Hate, an Asian advocacy organisation, collected almost 10,000 reports of hate incidents against Asian American and Pacific Islander people in the United States between March 2020 and December 31, 2021.

“It’s not wrong to be different,” group member Suga stated. “Equality begins when we open up and embrace all of our differences.”

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“We hope today is one step forward to respecting and understanding each and everyone as a valuable person,” V added.

This isn’t the first time BTS has gotten involved in politics. The United Nations appointed BTS members as special presidential envoys for future generations and culture in order to enhance global diplomacy. The group spoke at the United Nations in September 2021.