BTS: Spokesperson for the first “Youth Day”
On September 19th, the first edition of “Youth Day” took place, to which BTS was invited as an emblematic figure of youth.
This is the first time that “Youth Day” has taken place in South Korea, a day dedicated to youth rights and youth development, established after new legislative changes. Now, September 19th is a public holiday in the country.
This official day was held to give the floor to the great figures of the youth of our time, so several public figures were invited to share the stage with President Moon, including BTS.
BTS is one of the groups that have succeeded in giving an image of South Korea to the world, in particular they have succeeded in increasing the tourism and economy of the country as well as developing the interest of foreigners in the Korean culture and language. But they also have a big role in the struggles of young Koreans.
Indeed, the group was itself created to defend the rights of young people, observed and shared in particular through their stage name. Indeed, BTS is just an acronym for a more impactful name. So, when they started out, BTS meant 방탄소년단 (Bangtan Sonyeondan) which can translate to “Bulletproof Boy Scouts”. Following several questions about the meaning of the name, the band members (RM, JIN, SUGA, J-HOPE, JIMIN, V and JUNGKOOK) revealed that it conveys the message of a trying band, through their music. and their messages, to be a shield against the oppression and discrimination suffered by adolescents today. They also added that they wanted to protect the ideals and values of these young people.
After several years, the group decided to change its logo and its name of group against “Beyond The Scene”, they symbolize, the name as well as the logo, the youth which is not satisfied with the current reality and which opens the door. which will allow him to move forward and continue to grow. Thus, this meaning, which reflects the evolution and maturity of the group, nevertheless retains its primary goal: to defend the rights and thoughts of youth.
This is why the group was invited to this day, as a spokesperson for the youth. They thus, through a speech, spoke about the difficulties and the fears which each one had felt from teenager to young adults as well as the worries which they still have today. You can watch said speech in the following video above.
On the occasion of this day, BTS issued a time capsule named “Gift 2039” due to its opening which is scheduled for the 20th “Youth Day” ceremony. While waiting for 19 years to pass, the public will be able to observe this capsule at the Korean History Museum, where it will be on display until it opens.
The group will continue its fight by addressing the United Nations on September 23rd.
Journalist: Omérine
Translator: Shawn
Sources: BIGHIT Entertainment, The blue house