K-pop superstars BTS are returning to the United Nations General Assembly.
It's been announced that the seven-member group will deliver a message of hope on Wednesday at 9am (5pm GST) after being invited to be speak by the Group of Friends of Solidarity for Global Health Security to talk about the difficulties future generations will face due to pandemic.
The initiative’s aim is to find ways to effectively respond to Covid-19 and other challenges to global health security, and involves 40 UN member states with South Korea, Denmark, Sierra Leone, Canada and Qatar as co-chairs.
This will be the second time that BTS have spoken at the UN General Assembly as they previously gave an address at the launch ceremony of Unicef's Generation Unlimited in 2018. The speech went viral as the boy band made an impassioned plea for young people to find their voices to help shape the future.
"I want to hear your voice, I want to hear your conviction. No matter where you're from, skin colour, gender identity, just speak yourself. Find your name [and] find your voice," said member, RM.
BTS were set to embark on a world tour prior to the outbreak of the coronavirus. Since then, they’ve found other ways to stay connected to fans through online concerts and by releasing new music. The band most recently performed on NPR Music’s Tiny Desk (home) concert series.
Last month, the group made history as the first K-pop group to top the Billboard Hot 100 with their first English-language single, Dynamite. They've also announced plans to release a new album by the end of 2020.
“We are preparing an album for the second half of this year, but decided to first release a single because we wanted to reach our fans as soon as possible,” the group said on South Korean broadcasting app V Live. “Due to Covid-19, people around the world have been going through tough times and we wanted to share some positive energy with our fans.”
Scroll through below to see a gallery of BTS throughout the years:
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BTS through the years: the K-pop band at the Korean Culture Convention (K-Con), held at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on August 10, 2014. AFP -
Members of BTS arrive on the red carpet for K-Con 2014. AFP -
BTS on the red carpet for the Asia Artist Awards in Seoul on November 16, 2016. AFP -
Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and JungKook of BTS at Music Choice in New York City on March 22, 2017. Getty -
BTS perform Fake Love at the Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 20, 2018. AP -
BTS accept the Top Social Artist award at the Billboard Music Awards on May 20, 2018. Reuters -
BTS attend the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2018. AP -
BTS perform during a Korean cultural event in Paris as part of the South Korean president's official visit to France on October 14, 2018. AFP -
BTS on the red carpet at the Mnet Asian Music Awards in Hong Kong on December 14, 2018. AP -
BTS at the Seoul Music Awards on January 15, 2019. Getty -
BTS present the award for Best R&B Album during the 61st Grammy Awards on February 10, 2019, in Los Angeles. AFP -
BTS perform on Saturday Night Live on April 11, 2019. Getty -
BTS before rehearsals for KBS 2TV's Music Bank in Yeouido, Seoul, on April 19, 2019. Getty -
BTS perform at concert to promote 18th Fina World Championships at a stadium in Gwangju, South Korea on April 28, 2019. EPA -
BTS and Halsey performing Boy With Luv at the Billboard Music Awards on May 1, 2019. Reuters -
BTS attend Youth Day at the Presidential Blue House in Seoul on September 19, 2020. Reuters -
BTS present a purple gift box to President Moon Jae-in during the inaugural Youth Day event in Seoul on September 19, 2020. EPA -
BTS on the red carpet during the annual Mama Awards at Nagoya Dome in Nagoya, Japan, on December 4, 2019. Reuters -
BTS at the 34st annual Golden Disk Awards ceremony in Seoul on January 4, 2020. EPA -
BTS arrive at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on January 26, 2020. AP -
BTS visit the Today Show at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City on February 21, 2020. AFP -
BTS give an address as part of the YouTube Originals Dear Class of 2020 speeches. YouTube Originals -
BTS performing as part of the YouTube Originals Dear Class of 2020 speeches. YouTube Originals -
BTS perform 'Dynamite' during the MTV Video Music Awards on August 30, 2020. Reuters -
BTS accept the award for Best Pop Video for 'On' during the MTV Video Music Awards on August 30, 2020. AP -
BTS arrives to security check-in at the United Nations headquarters during the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 20, 2021. AFP -
V, Suga, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Jimin and J-Hope of BTS arrive at the 2021 American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California on November 21, 2021. Reuters -
BTS accepts the award for artist of the year at the American Music Awards in 2021 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. AP -
Jin, Suga, V, Jungkook, RM, Jimin, and J-Hope of BTS hold their award for the Favourite Pop Song, Favourite Duo or Group and Artist of the Year awards during the 2021 American Music Awards. Reuters -
BTS pose on red carpet of iHeartRadio Jingle Ball concert in California on December 3, 2021. Reuters -
BTS perform at Jamsil Olympic Park in southern Seoul, South Korea on March 10, 2022. EPA -
BTS pose on red carpet of 64th Annual Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 3, 2022. Reuters -
BTS perform Butter during 64th Annual Grammy Awards show in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 3, 2022. Reuters -
BTS Permission to Dance concert in Las Vegas on April 10, 2022. Photo: Big Hit Music -
Members of BTS join Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary, centre, during a news conference at the White House in Washington DC on May 31, 2022. Photo: Oliver Contreras / Sipa / Bloomberg
