BTS at the United Nations: Speeches, the UN General Assembly, and the "Love Myself" Campaign

BTS, the South Korean group that became one of the biggest acts in the world, has appeared at the United Nations more than once — not to perform a regular concert, but to speak directly to a global audience about self-worth, young people, and hope. Here is a simple, accurate guide to what they said, when, and why it mattered.

Who are BTS, and why were they at the UN?

BTS (also known as Bangtan Sonyeondan, or the Bangtan Boys) is a seven-member group from South Korea: RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. They debuted in 2013 and grew into a global phenomenon, known for music that often touches on mental health, self-acceptance, and the pressures young people face.

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization where the world's governments meet to discuss shared problems like peace, education, and children's rights. It is unusual for a music group to speak there. BTS were invited because of their large, engaged young fanbase (known as ARMY) and their long-running partnership with UNICEF, the UN agency focused on children. Their appearances were tied to UN events and youth-focused initiatives rather than music promotion.

2018: The "Speak Yourself" speech that went viral

In September 2018, BTS spoke at the United Nations in New York during a UNICEF youth event connected to the UN General Assembly (the UN's main annual gathering of world leaders). The group's leader, RM, delivered the speech in English on behalf of the members.

The speech was part of the launch of "Generation Unlimited", a UNICEF-backed partnership aimed at expanding education, training, and opportunity for young people. RM connected this to BTS's own "Love Yourself" message and encouraged listeners to "speak yourself" — to find their own voice and share who they truly are.

• RM spoke openly about growing up with self-doubt and the fear of others' judgment.
• He encouraged young people to value themselves regardless of background, identity, or where they are from.
• His closing lines — asking the audience to tell him their name and their story — became widely quoted.

The 2018 address is the most famous of BTS's UN appearances and was widely shared online, helping spread their message far beyond their existing fanbase.

2020 and 2021: Speaking during difficult times

BTS returned to the UN stage in later years, this time with the whole group speaking and in formats shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 2020: All seven members delivered a message connected to a UN General Assembly–related event. Speaking during the early period of the pandemic, they acknowledged the hardship, isolation, and uncertainty many people — especially young people — were feeling, while offering a message of resilience and hope.
• 2021: BTS appeared again in connection with the UN General Assembly, this time as part of a South Korean delegation, having been designated by the country as special envoys for a diplomatic and youth-focused role. The members spoke about how young people had coped during the pandemic and shared a more hopeful, forward-looking outlook. Their visit also included a music performance video filmed at UN headquarters that was released alongside the event.

Across these appearances, the consistent thread was empathy for young people and an emphasis on hope, change, and looking forward.

What is the "Love Myself" campaign?

"Love Myself" is an anti-violence and self-esteem campaign that BTS launched together with UNICEF. It began in 2017 and is connected to the group's "Love Yourself" series of albums, which built on the idea that loving yourself is the starting point for caring about others.

• The campaign supports UNICEF's broader work to end violence against children and young people and to promote their well-being.
• It has raised awareness and funds through donations, merchandise tied to the campaign, and contributions linked to the project.
• It gave BTS's UN appearances a real-world foundation — their speeches were not stand-alone events but part of an ongoing partnership.

For newcomers, this is the simplest way to understand BTS at the UN: the music, the speeches, and the campaign all share one core message — self-respect and respect for others go hand in hand.

Why BTS at the UN matters

BTS's UN appearances are notable for a few reasons that are easy to appreciate even if you are new to the group:

• An unusual platform: It is rare for a pop group to be invited to address a global audience at the United Nations, which signaled how much cultural reach BTS had built.
• A message for young people: Their speeches focused on self-acceptance, mental health, and hope — themes that resonated with millions of listeners worldwide.
• Soft power for Korea: The appearances are often cited as an example of how Korean culture (sometimes called the Korean Wave, or Hallyu) reached the world stage, with BTS representing South Korea in an international setting.

Whether you come for the music or the message, BTS at the UN is a good entry point into understanding why the group connected with so many people around the globe.

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