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▲ This photo, captured from the website of the state department, shows South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin (L) and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken holding a joint press conference after their meeting at the state department in Washington on June 13, 2022. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ This photo, provided by Hybe, shows the members of K-pop sensation BTS speaking at the briefing room of the White House in Washington on May 31, 2022, prior to their meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss anti-Asian hate crimes. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
WASHINGTON, June 14 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Secretary Antony J. Blinken has mentioned K-pop groups BTS and TWICE at the news conference with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin after their talks in Washington on Monday (EST).
Blinken talked about the alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States and suddenly mentioned the K-pop supergroup BTS.
“Now, we can’t also forget the other very notable meeting between our countries recently: BTS visiting the White House. (Laughter.) For the “BTS Army” in America, it was a thrilling day,” he said.
BTS made their first visit to the White House on May 31st and discussed the important issues of anti-Asian hate crimes with U.S. President Joe Biden. The group marked their presence after giving a short and strong message about combating the hate crimes at the White House’s briefing room.
He added, “I had another K-pop moment.”
Blinken mentioned his appearance on the recent CBS talk show “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and said, “As we arrived at the Late Show, there was a huge crowd at the backstage door. And for a minute, I have to admit I thought, well, maybe they’re here to see me.”
The U.S. secretary added, “No, there was a K-pop group Twice that was also on the show that night. That’s why they were there. And by the way, they were terrific.”
Girl group TWICE appeared on the famous American CBS talk show on May 18.
The US secretary seems to have introduced the K-pop phenomenon which he experienced to emphasize that the alliance with Korea permeates not only security but also cultural phenomena throughout the United States.
Blinken explained, “So there’s no question that the ties between our countries are strong and incredibly broad as well. And through this alliance – founded in shared sacrifice, deepened over nearly 70 years – our countries are taking on urgent challenges and also seizing opportunities together.”
(This article is translated from Korean to English by An Hayeon.)
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