Watch: BTS sing their way through United Nations

The group shared their thoughts and those of young people worldwide on the past two years and the future

South Korean sensation BTS danced its way through the United Nations this week, promoting global goals tackling poverty, inequality, injustice and climate change ahead of the annual UN gathering of world leaders.

The seven-member group filmed a music video to its song Permission to Dance in the world body’s New York headquarters over the weekend, dancing through the general assembly hall and out into the gardens.

It was broadcast during an event on sustainable development goals. BTS – whose members declared they were all fully vaccinated against Covid-19 – also appeared in person at the event in the general assembly, introduced by South Korean President Moon Jae-in. They are the UN’s special presidential envoys for future generations and culture.

They shared their thoughts and those of young people worldwide on the past two years and the future, expressing their frustration during the pandemic. “I was saddened to hear that entrance and graduation ceremonies had to be cancelled,” said Jeon Jung-Kook, known as Jungkook. “These are moments in life you want to celebrate, and missing out on them must have been upsetting. We were heartbroken when our long-planned concert tours were cancelled.”

They praised the resilience of youth, saying they were not “Covid’s lost generation”. BTS group leader Kim Nam-Joon, known as RM, added, “I think it’s a stretch to say they’re lost just because paths they tread can’t be seen by grown-up eyes.” Kim Seok-Jin, known as Jin, chimed in, “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.”