Amid the clutches of a pandemic, the conflict in Afghanistan and deadly storms exacerbated by climate change, more than 1 million people were transfixed by the United Nations on Monday. Not to watch a head of state, but rather a boy band: BTS.
The seven members of the Korean pop group, a multibillion-dollar act known for its dynamic dance moves, catchy lyrics and frenzied fans, promoted the coronavirus vaccine and lauded young people for their resiliency during a nearly seven-minute speech at the U.N. headquarters in New York.
The band’s appearance came one day before more than 100 world leaders and representatives are to gather Tuesday for the opening of the General Assembly, an annual conclave that was held mostly virtually last year because of the pandemic.