BTS encourages youth to welcome each other to the future in UN General Assembly speech

BTS encouraged everyone, especially the youth, to welcome each other to the future during their speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Monday.

In the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Moment livestreamed on UN'S YouTube channel, the group shared stories they heard from those in their 20s and teens around the world.

Learning about their experiences, RM, Jin, V, Jimin, Jungkook, J-Hope, and Suga said they hope more people would still see the beauty in the future despite troubling times.

"I hope we just don't consider the future as grim darkness. We have people who are concerned for the world and searching for answers," Kim Taehyung, known as V, said.

"There are still many pages left in the story about us and I thought we shouldn't talk like the ending's already been written," he added.

RM added that the younger ones have been viewed as the "COVID-19's lost generation," saying that "they've lost their time when they need the most diverse opportunities and try new things."

BTS said this shouldn't be the case as the new generation keeps on going despite the hardships.

"Instead of the lost generation, a more appropriate name would be the welcome generation because instead of fearing change, this generation says 'welcome' and keeps forging ahead," Jin said.

"If we believe in possibilities and hope even if the unexpected happens, we will not lose our way but discover new ones," RM added.

Suga and J-Hope, meanwhile, said it is brave of the young ones to continue on making changes even though they are facing fear because of current happenings.

"There will be choices we make that will not be perfect but that doesn't mean there [is] nothing we can do," Suga said.

"What is important are the choices we make when we're faced with change," J-Hope added.

Jungkook also said that they too, have felt down at a point in their life, but they continue to power through life's challenges.

Talking about the SDGs, RM also said he noticed how the younger generation have been choosing courses on the environment, which gives him hope that the future looks bright.

"The future is unexplored territory and that's where we, more than anyone, will spend our time. Young people are searching for the answers to the question of how we must live that future," he said.

Towards the end of their speech, BTS said they believe that the time to see each other again is soon.

"The day we can meet again is not far away. Until then, I hope we can feel each of our days to the brim with positive energy," V said.

"We thought the world stopped a bit but it continues to move forward. I believe every choice we make is the beginning of change, not the end. I hope we can all say to each other, 'welcome,'" RM added.

The group also prepared a video performance of "Permission to Dance."

As of writing, BTS is dominating the Philippines' Twitter trends with several hashtags and phrases.

BTS arrived in New York with the Republic of Korea President Moon Jae In after being formally appointed as the Special Presidential Envoys for Future Generations and Culture last week.

"Together with BTS, I hope today's gathering will serve to mobilize the future generations the will and action towards sustainable development, guided by the conviction that no one is safe until everyone is safe," the president said.

The SDG Moment is where leaders from all over the world gather to talk about how they can achieve the 17 SDGs, especially now in a global pandemic.

BTS gave their first UN speech in 2018, and then again in 2020.

The seven-member group has also been part of the campaign "Love Myself" with UNICEF, which aims to end violence on children and teens worldwide, "with the hope of making the world a better place through music."

—Franchesca Viernes/MGP, GMA News