BTS are converting locals into ARMYs!
Recently, BTS was in the United States briefly due to an invitation from The White House. They were asked to speak to conclude the celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
So, finally, on May 31, BTS visited The White House. Each member spoke publicly to reporters at Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre‘s press briefing. Immediately after, the group met with President Joe Biden. In both meetings, the members touched on important topics, speaking about anti-Asian hate crimes, the importance of diversity, and inclusion.
We just want to be a little help and we truly appreciate the White House and the government’s trying to find solutions.
— RM
BTS made history that day. They joined many iconic music artists such as Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and Whitney Houston to receive White House invitations, but they were all American. BTS is the first and only Korean act to receive a White House invitation, and only three artists, including BTS, have been invited to the Oval Office.
They [BTS] have been very vocal about the hate that’s happened in America. We’ve done events throughout the month with many prominent Asian American figures. This was just one to close out the month with someone who Asians all over the world look up to, especially Asians in America. Visibility matters, representation matters on screen. Them being prominently featured on the podium and with the President — I think it’s something great for young people all over the country to see Asians represented in the White House.
— White House official via Teen Vogue
? | Michael Jackson & BTS at the White House with Pres. Reagan (1984), Pres. Bush Sr. (1990) and Pres. Biden (2022). pic.twitter.com/05GPs6G5hk
— ???? ◡̈ (@mjjNAED) June 1, 2022
Still, as BTS leader RM once said, “I’ve had to accept that – that everyone cannot love me. Because when there’s love, there’s hate. When there’s light, there’s dark.” So, some conservative public figures have shaded BTS, hoping to criticize the current U.S. government.
Wonder if they have any ideas on how to secure our border, lower inflation, lower gas prices, and get baby formula back on our shelves. pic.twitter.com/EBZnyySWf2
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) May 31, 2022
Yet, there were more positive reactions to BTS’s White House visit than negative. While ARMYs were naturally very supportive, even locals (non-fans) were also.
A political Twitter account posted a photo from BTS’s address at the press briefing, captioned, “BTS has seized the US government.” The below tweet went viral with 55.6K likes at the time of writing. It’s
BTS has seized the US government pic.twitter.com/RN5cQrrMla
— Populism Updates (@PopulismUpdates) May 31, 2022
Its replies and quote-tweets were filled with other non-ARMYs welcoming BTS as the new U.S. government.
Netizens implied that BTS would be an “improvement” from the United States government’s current leadership though they were the ones to invite the K-Pop group to speak.
As with any government, none is perfect, and there is always room for improvement…
Nonetheless, in this case, locals see BTS as the improvement they need!
It is being suggested that the BTS members would be better than the American politicians currently in power.
And locals are practically begging the idols to take over!
So, BTS are being referred to as the new “founding fathers” and “overlords.”
Of course, ARMYs know RM has long been our president!
Netizens are in agreement that BTS would be good for the U.S. government, and considering how much the members have done for their own country, they certainly would not be wrong.
And there’s no denying that some of the tweets are low-key funny too…
As some pointed out, BTS will bring about not only positive change, organization, etc., but we will be guaranteed a banger of a national anthem.
The only thing left is regret for some that they had not stanned BTS sooner!
It’s never too late ? pic.twitter.com/R30UtjRqTI
— ˗ˏˋ?Mega⁷ #JIMIM????ˎˊ˗ (@megaminimoni_) June 1, 2022
Since they visited The White House, BTS have received great amounts of praise from not only netizens but President Joe Biden himself.
People care a lot about what you say, and what you’re doing is good for all people.
It’s not just your great talent, it’s the message you’re communicating.
It matters.
— President Joe Biden
It was great to meet with you, @bts_bighit. Thanks for all you’re doing to raise awareness around the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination.
I look forward to sharing more of our conversation soon. pic.twitter.com/LnczTpT2aL
— President Biden (@POTUS) June 1, 2022
It’s awesome to see BTS get the love, recognition, and respect they deserve!
Koreaboo
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