President Joe Biden Said the Members of BTS Have ‘Great Talent’
On May 31, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook of BTS visited the White House for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month (AANHPI Heritage Month). During the Korean septet’s visit, the members spoke at an official White House press briefing, met Vice President Kamala Harris, and met with President Joe Biden.
Following the band’s White House visit, Biden has shared some of his conversation with Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook on social media. One of the videos Biden shared shows the president praising BTS’ “great talent.”
President Joe Biden thinks the BTS members have ‘great talent’
Days after BTS visited the White House, Biden shared an extended video of BTS’ appearance on his official social media accounts. In the new video, fans of the band can see more of BTS’ meeting with Biden.
“I got involved in public life because of civil rights,” Biden told BTS in the video. “Even back then, famous artists helped move people. What you’re doing makes a big difference. Talking about how we have to eliminate hate is important.”
The president continued, “I know you know what you’re doing, but don’t underestimate it. Not just your great talent. It’s the message you’re communicating. It matters. This is one president who appreciates you.”
At this, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook smiled, and RM said, “Wow. I have to tell my mom.”
The band also met with Vice President Kamala Harris
The new video Biden shared on social media also shows part of BTS’ meeting with Harris and behind-the-scenes of BTS’ tour of the White House.
“When we see hate and prejudice, it’s meant to make people afraid and it’s meant to make people feel alone,” Harris told BTS in the video. “And therefore without power. When you all speak about it, you speak to people in a way that reminds them they’re not alone.”
To this, RM replied, “We just want to give back all the love that we got and use our voice like you told us. That’s all we wanted. So, today is a really, really historical and big day for us.”
The members of BTS spoke at a White House press briefing
Before their meeting with Biden, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook spoke at a White House press briefing. The briefing was streamed online and had dozens of reporters in attendance.
Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook spoke in Korean, and RM concluded BTS’ statement in English.
“We were devastated by the recent surge of hate crimes including anti-Asian hate crimes. To put a stop on this and support the cause, we’d like to take this opportunity to voice ourselves once again,” Jimin said in the press briefing.
Jungkook shared, “We still feel surprised that music created by South Korean artists reaches many people worldwide, transcending barriers across the board including language and culture. We believe music is always a wonderful unifier of all things.”
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