BTS at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. Image: AFP/Valerie Macon
K-pop group BTS and its management company Big Hit Entertainment have donated $1 million (P49.8 million) to the Black Lives Matter campaign after standing against racism.
The amount was handed over to the movement last week, as per Variety last Saturday, June 6.
Haile Scales, the managing director of Black Lives Matter, later thanked the group for their gesture.
“Black people all over the world are in pain at this moment from the trauma of centuries of oppression,” she told the magazine. “We are moved by the generosity of BTS and allies all over the world who stand in solidarity in the fight for Black lives.”
The donation comes days after BTS expressed their support for the movement.
“We stand against racial discrimination. We condemn violence,” the K-pop group said on its Twitter page on June 4.
우리는 인종차별에 반대합니다.
우리는 폭력에 반대합니다.
나, 당신, 우리 모두는 존중받을 권리가 있습니다. 함께 하겠습니다.We stand against racial discrimination.
We condemn violence.
You, I and we all have the right to be respected. We will stand together.#BlackLivesMatter
— 방탄소년단 (@BTS_twt) June 4, 2020
“You, I and we all have the right to be respected. We will stand together,” the group added alongside the hashtag for the campaign.
Following BTS’ lead, their fans, collectively known as ARMY, also began giving financial aid to Black Lives Matter. The fans started the #MatchaMillion campaign on Twitter to match the K-pop group’s donation.
The fanbase has since achieved its goal, raising over $1 million as of today, June 8, as per a Twitter account dedicated to BTS and the donation drive.
ARMY
You #MatchedAMillion💜It's really amazing to see so many of you coming together to support #BlackLivesMatter. Thank you so much to everyone who donated, shared, used the hastag and helped by any means to make this possible! pic.twitter.com/FqUNfsWsIz
— (slow) One in an ARMY Charity Project💜 (@OneInAnARMY) June 8, 2020
Though they have surpassed their initial goal, the fans are continuing their initiative and now aim to raise $1.1 million (P54.8 million). Those interested in offering financial aid may check out this page.
Along with BTS, as per report, other K-pop stars such as GOT7’s Mark Tuan, rapper pH-1 and DAY6’s Jae have also donated to efforts against racism. Ryan Arcadio/JB
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