South Korean boy band BTS are known for their philanthropic endeavors. Multiple members of the band have been inducted into prestigious donation clubs, such as the UNICEF Honors Club and the Green Noble Club, in acknowledgement of the size and frequency of their donations. [2] [3] [4] They have also received awards for their donations, with one member receiving a Patron of the Arts Award for donations to the arts, [5] and BTS as a whole receiving a UNICEF Inspire Award for their Love Myself campaign. They often donate privately, with their patronage later being made public by the organizations they support and the media. [2] [6] The band's efforts have motivated their fans to also engage in various charitable and humanitarian activities, and on occasion even match their donations. [7]
In 2015, BTS donated seven tons (7,187 kg) of rice to charity at the K-Star Road opening ceremony held in Apgujeong-dong. [8] The following year they participated in ALLETS's "Let's Share the Heart" collaboration charity campaign with Naver [9] to raise donations for LISA, a Korean medical charity which promotes organ and blood donation. [10]
In 2017, BTS and Big Hit Entertainment donated KR₩100 million (US$87,915) to the 4/16 Sewol Families for Truth and A Safer Society, an organization connected to the families of the sinking of MV Sewol in 2014. Each member donated ₩10 million and Big Hit donated an additional ₩30 million. The donation was intended to have been made in secret. [11] Later that year, BTS officially launched their Love Myself campaign, an initiative dedicated to funding several social programs to prevent violence against children and teens and to provide support for victims of violence in partnership with the Korean Committee for UNICEF. [12] [13]
In April 2018, BTS participated in Stevie Wonder's "Dream Still Lives" tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. [14] That June, the band donated to the ALS hospital building fund. [15] In September, BTS attended the United Nations 73rd General Assembly for the launch of the youth initiative "Youth 2030: The UN Youth Strategy" and its corresponding UNICEF campaign "Generation Unlimited". [16] [17] According to UNICEF, the goal of the initiative is "to provide quality education and training for young people". [18] BTS were selected to attend due to their impact on youth culture through their music and social messages, previous philanthropic endeavors, and popularity among the 15-to-25-year-old age demographic. [16] [17]
Starbucks Korea partnered with BTS in January 2020, for their "Be the Brightest Stars" campaign that included limited-edition beverages, food, and merchandise exclusive to South Korea. A portion of the profits from the campaign went towards career and educational development programs for disadvantaged youth as part of The Beautiful Foundation's Opportunity Youth Independence Project. [19] Later that month, BTS participated in the Grammy week MusiCares charity auction event hosted by Julien's Auctions. [20] The band autographed and submitted a set of seven microphones—the first-ever authorized items from them to be brought to auction—used between 2017 and 2019 during their Love Yourself World Tour. Initially estimated to raise between $10,000–20,000, the lot sold for $83,200, more than eight times its starting price and the highest of the event. [21] All proceeds were donated to MusiCares, a non-profit organization that focuses on human service issues directly impacting the health and welfare of the music community. [22] In June, BTS and Big Hit donated $1 million towards the Black Lives Matter movement, in the wake of the murder of George Floyd; the band's fans matched the donation within 24 hours. [23] [24] The band later donated $1 million to Live Nation's Crew Nation campaign to support live music personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. [25]
With the continuation of the pandemic into 2021, BTS participated in another MusiCares fundraising auction held on January 29. [26] The band donated a collection of outfits from their "Dynamite" music video that were projected to raise between $20,000–40,000. [27] The ensembles auctioned for $162,500—over eight times original estimates [28] [29] —as the top-selling item of the event. [30] BTS also donated seven outfits from their "Life Goes On" music video to the Grammy week charity auction hosted by Charitybuzz in March. Valued at $30,000, bidding took place from March 8–23, with proceeds going towards the non-profit Grammy Museum Foundation's music education initiatives. [31] In October, the band contributed the custom Louis Vuitton suits worn for their "Dynamite" performance during the 2021 Grammy Awards, a set of rings worn by J-Hope for the same performance, and a signed Epiphone 56 Les Paul Pro electric guitar [32] to another MusiCares relief auction that was hosted by Julien's on January 30, 2022, as a precursor to the Grammy Awards in April. [33] Estimated to raise between $30,000–50,000, [33] the suits sold for $160,000, while the rings sold for over $24,000 collectively, and the guitar for $64,000. [34]
The Love Myself campaign was launched on November 1, 2017, in partnership with the Korean and Japanese committees for UNICEF. [35] [36] [37] BTS became the first artist in South Korea to raise funds as part of a social fund for global campaigns. [38] The idea was introduced by the band as a sponsorship to #ENDviolence, a global UNICEF campaign aimed at the protection of young people so they can live without the fear of violence, [39] and promotes the hashtag #BTSLoveMyself, which asks fans and supporters to post self-loving photos with the hashtag to different social media platforms. [40] As of October 2021, the campaign has generated 5 million tweets and over 50 million engagements. [41]
BTS introduced donation platforms in collaboration with KakaoTalk in January 2018, as well as official stickers for the campaign. [42] [43] A partnership with the Japan Committee for UNICEF was announced five months later, through a partnership agreement ceremony held in Tokyo. [44] BTS later attended the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 24, [45] for the launch ceremony of UNICEF's global partnership, Generation Unlimited, a program "dedicated to increasing opportunities and investments for children and young people aged 10 to 24". [46] On behalf of the band, BTS' leader RM delivered a six-minute speech in English about self-acceptance and the Love Myself campaign. [47] [48]
In March 2021, BTS and Big Hit released a joint video statement with UNICEF and UNICEF Korea, announcing their renewed support of the campaign for two more years. [49] Love Myself was "elevated to a multinational MCA partnership", marking the first time that a Korea-based partnership had been expanded to a "global trilateral partnership with UNICEF headquarters". The band pledged an additional $500,000 per year to UNICEF Korea. [50] BTS also became sponsors of the global #ENDViolence campaign, dedicating a portion of income from their campaign merchandise and the Love Yourself album series sales to it; a further $1 million donation was promised to UNICEF Korea by 2022. [50] [51] On September 22, 2023, Big Hit announced a donation of ₩ 1 billion ( US$ 874,164.08) to the Korean UNICEF committee in appreciation of BTS and their fanbase, ARMY; the contribution is also part of the Love Myself campaign. [52]
In April 2024, the #OnMyMind initiative, created to help improve and support the mental health of youth around the world, was introduced as the campaign's second chapter. [53]
The campaign is funded in the following ways: [35] [54] [55]
Proceeds are used to support young victims of school violence, domestic violence, and sexual assault around the world, as well as to provide education programs for local communities in aid of violence prevention. [55]
The campaign raised an additional ₩106 million within just two months of its launch—by January 17, 2018—taking the global funds total to ₩606 million. [61] In November 2018, UNICEF Korea announced that over ₩1.6 billion ($1.4 million) had been raised. [62] By June 2019, cumulative worldwide funds had surpassed ₩2.4 billion. [63]
By December 2020, the #BTSLoveMyself hashtag had been used across social media over 14 million times, with the campaign's global funds totalling ₩3.2 billion ($2.8 million). [64] This number rose to ₩4.2 billion ($3.67 million) by October 2021. [65] Per an April 2024 campaign update, over $6.6 million has been raised between the band and its fans as of March 2024. [53]
The Love Myself campaign won a UNICEF Inspire Award in the 'Best Integrated Campaigns and Events' category at the 2020 UNICEF Inspire Awards. Held annually by UNICEF Headquarters, the ceremony honours the "most innovative and inspiring" global UNICEF campaigns of the year across 18 categories. The 'Integrated Campaigns and Events' category awards campaigns that have generated the biggest influence and inspiration in areas including promoting children's rights, fundraising, and public relations. For the 2020 edition, 100 campaigns across 50 countries were considered, with winners selected through a combination of online votes by UNICEF employees worldwide and the evaluation of a judges' panel. [66] [67] [68]
Lee Young-ae is a South Korean actress. She is known for her appearances in the Korean historical drama Dae Jang Geum (2003), and as a revenge-seeking single mother in Park Chan-wook's crime thriller film Lady Vengeance (2005). For her performance in the film, she received Best Actress awards at the 38th Sitges Film Festival, 26th Blue Dragon Film Awards and 42nd Baeksang Arts Awards.
Han Ji-min is a South Korean actress. After minor roles in All In (2003) and Dae Jang Geum (2003–2004), Han had her breakout role in revenge series Resurrection (2005). This was followed by leading roles in period dramas Capital Scandal (2007) and Yi San (2007–2008), contemporary dramas Cain and Abel (2009) and Padam Padam (2011–2012), romantic dramas Rooftop Prince (2012), Familiar Wife (2018) and The Light in Your Eyes (2019), as well as drama film Miss Baek (2018) for which she was named the Best Actress at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards. Recently, Han starred in an omnibus-format series Our Blues (2022) and Behind Your Touch (2023).
Yoo Jae-suk is a South Korean comedian, host and television personality. He has hosted several variety television shows in South Korea, including Infinite Challenge, Running Man, Happy Together, and Hangout With Yoo. Known for his quick wit and appeal across a wide range of demographics, Yoo has established himself as one of South Korea's top comedians and TV personalities, as well as one of the most well-known and popular celebrities in South Korea.
Bae Su-ji, better known by the stage name Bae Suzy or mononymously as Suzy, is a South Korean singer, actress, and model. She is a former member of the girl group Miss A under JYP Entertainment. She made her debut as an actress in the hit television series Dream High (2011) and has gone on to appear in series such as Gu Family Book (2013), Uncontrollably Fond (2016), While You Were Sleeping (2017), Vagabond (2019), Start-Up (2020), Anna (2022), and Doona! (2023). She made her film debut in Architecture 101 (2012), and, following its success, has been hailed as "The Nation's First Love" in her home country.
Kim Yoo-jung is a South Korean actress. She debuted as a model for a confectionery brand at the age of four. After her acting debut in 2003, she became one of the most in-demand child actresses in Korea. She gained public attention for starring in television series Dong Yi (2010), Moon Embracing the Sun (2012), May Queen (2012), Golden Rainbow (2013), Secret Door (2014) and Angry Mom (2015). She also starred in the films Commitment (2013), Thread of Lies (2014), and Circle of Atonement (2015). She hosted music show Inkigayo from November 2014 to April 2016.
BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys, is a South Korean boy band formed in 2010. The band consists of Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, who co-write or co-produce much of their material. Originally a hip hop group, they expanded their musical style to incorporate a wide range of genres, while their lyrics have focused on subjects including mental health, the troubles of school-age youth and coming of age, loss, the journey towards self-love, individualism, and the consequences of fame and recognition. Their discography and adjacent work has also referenced literature, philosophy and psychology, and includes an alternate universe storyline.
Lee Hye-ri, better known mononymously as Hyeri, is a South Korean actress, singer, and television personality. She rose to fame as the youngest member of girl group Girl's Day, and was named as the "Nation's Little Sister" by the South Korean media due to her immense popularity after appearing as a fixed cast member on Real Men (2014).
Kim Tae-hyung, known professionally as V (뷔), is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and a member of the boy band BTS. Since his debut with the band in 2013, V has performed three solo songs under their name—"Stigma" in 2016, "Singularity" in 2018, and "Inner Child" in 2020—all of which charted on South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart.
Kim Nam-joon, known professionally as RM, is a South Korean rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He is the leader of South Korean boy band BTS.
South Korean boy band BTS debuted on the music scene in June 2013. They have since released or featured in 72 music videos, and released 49 video albums. Known for their high quality music videos—and accompanying choreography therein—the band have achieved multiple world records with several of these, additionally winning various domestic and international awards for them. They have also appeared in commercials for brands such as Puma, Fila, and Samsung, among others.
Momoland was a South Korean girl group formed by MLD Entertainment through the 2016 reality show Finding Momoland. The show's winners Hyebin, Yeonwoo, Jane, Nayun, JooE, Ahin, and Nancy served as the original members. Their debut mini album Welcome to Momoland was released on November 10, 2016. In 2017, Momoland became a nine-member group when Daisy and Taeha joined as members. In 2019, Taeha and Yeonwoo left the group, while Daisy departed in 2020. The group disbanded on February 14, 2023.
Min Yoon-gi, known professionally by his stage names Suga and Agust D, is a South Korean rapper, songwriter and record producer. Under Big Hit Entertainment, he debuted as a member of the South Korean boy band BTS in 2013. His first solo mixtape, Agust D, was released in 2016 and re-released in 2018 to digital download and streaming platforms, reaching number three on Billboard's World Albums Chart. In 2020, he released his second solo mixtape, D-2; it peaked at number 11 on the US Billboard 200, number seven on the UK Albums Chart, and number two on Australia's ARIA Album Chart.
Bang Si-hyuk, known professionally as "Hitman" Bang, is a South Korean record producer, songwriter, and record executive. He founded the record label Big Hit Music and entertainment company Hybe Corporation both in 2005, and is chairman of the latter.
Jung Ho-seok, known professionally as J-Hope, is a South Korean rapper, singer-songwriter, dancer, and record producer. He made his debut as a member of South Korean boy band BTS in 2013, under Big Hit Entertainment.
"Fake Love" is a song recorded in Korean and Japanese by South Korean band BTS. It was written by "Hitman" Bang, RM, and Pdogg, with the latter as producer. The Korean version was released through Big Hit Entertainment on May 18, 2018, as the lead single from the band's third album Love Yourself: Tear (2018). Columbia Records serviced the song to US contemporary hit radio on June 12, 2018, as a single in the country. A remix, titled "Rocking Vibe", was released on June 4, 2018, and appears on the band's third compilation album, Love Yourself: Answer (2018). The Japanese version of the song was released for digital download and streaming on October 16, 2018, by Universal Music Japan as a single album that included the remix and "Airplane Pt. 2", both also in Japanese. "Fake Love" is an emo hip hop, grunge, rap-rock and electropop song which relies on rock instrumentals. The lyrics talk about the love that was once believed to be destiny, but turned out fake at the end.
Kim Seok-jin, known professionally as Jin (진), is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and member of the South Korean boy band BTS. Jin has co-written and released three solo tracks with BTS: "Awake" in 2016, "Epiphany" in 2018, and "Moon" in 2020, all of which have charted on South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart. In 2019, Jin released his first independent song, the digital track "Tonight". He made his official debut as a solo artist in October 2022, with the release of the single "The Astronaut".
Park Ji-min, known mononymously as Jimin, is a South Korean singer, songwriter and dancer. In 2013, he made his debut as a member of the South Korean boy band BTS, under the record label Big Hit Entertainment.
Run BTS is a South Korean variety web series starring boy band BTS. The series broadcasts weekly and has been offered for free viewing on V Live since 2015 and Weverse since 2020. In each episode, the band members play games or participate in a variety of activities that require them to complete challenges, and sometimes carry out secret missions, in order to earn prizes or receive punishments.
Big Hit Music, formerly Big Hit Entertainment, is a South Korean record label established in 2005 by Bang Si-hyuk. It was re-branded and re-structured into an independent label under Hybe Corporation in March 2021. As of date, the label is home to soloist Lee Hyun, and boy groups BTS and Tomorrow X Together. It previously managed soloist Lim Jeong-hee, and groups 8Eight, 2AM, and co-managed Glam.