KEY POINTS

  • BTS and its record label donated $1 million to Black Lives Matter
  • BTS Army, to match the amount donated, campaigned for #MatchAMillion on Twitter
  • To date, BTS supporters have raised nearly $1.2 million for #BlackLivesMatter
  • BTS Army members called out media outlets who call them K-pop sans
  • They clarified that the BTS Army initiated the #MatchAMillion, not the entire K-pop community

Some BTS Army members refused to be called as “K-pop Stans” as their #MatchAMillion campaign in support for #BlackLivesMatter reaches nearly $1.2 million.

The death of George Floyd allegedly while in police custody has prompted outcries all over the world and rallies in the United States against racial discrimination. The global community is taking action in fighting for freedom, liberation and justice.

Black Lives Matter trended online and on several social media platforms. Not only that it was supported by Netizens, but celebrities all over the globe also took part and supported the campaign —including the famous Korean group BTS.

BTS
V, Suga, Jin, JungKook, Jimin, J-Hope and RM of BTS attend the Mnet Music Awards in Hong Kong at AsiaWorld–Expo on Dec. 14, 2018 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Getty Images/Anthony Kwan

A representative from Big Hit Entertainment, BTS’s record label, confirmed to Variety that they have donated $1 million to #BlackLivesMatter. The news outlet further reported that Black Lives Matter already confirmed the receipt of the donation on Friday.

BTS fans, known as BTS Army or the ARMY, campaigned on social media through #MatchAMillion to raise the same amount again to support #BlackLivesMatter.

The donation drive raised over $817,000 within the first 24 hours. A few hours ago, One in an ARMY ⁷ Charity Project thanked all the supporters as the donations reached $1,007, 518. In a matter of hours, the amount raised as already reached nearly $1.2 million.

Meanwhile, BTS fans called out those media outlets and locals who call them “K-pop stans.” According to these BTS supporters, it was their fandom —BTS ARMY— started the #MatchAMillion campaign, not the entire K-pop community.

BTS, through their official Twitter account 방탄소년단 (@BTS_twt), expressed their support for #BlackLivesMatter saying they stand against racial discrimination and condemn violence. The group called for everyone to stand together as each one has the right to be respected.

Floyd died allegedly while in the custody of the police on May 25 in Minneapolis. During the arrest, a video of Derek Chauvin kneeling on the neck of Floyd for nearly nine minutes was captured by on-lookers. The video of Floyd’s death went viral online, sparking protests and demonstrations not only in the United States but all over the world.

Chauvin, who was charged with murder and manslaughter, will face a judge in Minnesota, BBC News reported. Exactly when will Chauvin face the judge remains to be verified but it was reported that it will be done remotely.

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