The 2020 UNICEF Inspire award goes to BTS!
BTS wins big in their campaign about mental health issues, suicide, nihilism, the K-pop idol system, and female empowerment. The boy group, together with the Big Hit Entertainment, dealt with these major themes through a campaign called ‘LOVE MYSELF’.
‘LOVE MYSELF’ campaign was among the 100 campaigns from 50 countries evaluated by the panel from the UNICEF headquarter.
With this year’s goal to choose the most inspired and influential campaign in various fields, like the enhancement of children’s rights, fundraising and promotions under the Integrated Campaigns and Events category, the BTS’ ‘LOVE MYSELF’ campaign was hailed as the most meaningful of all.
In November 2017, BTS and the Korean Committee for UNICEF announced their partnership, supporting both their ‘LOVE MYSELF’ campaign and UNICEF’s #EndViolence campaign.
Since the contract signing, the seven-member group started raising funds through the BTS’ online store.
In 2018, BTS partnered with the Japan Committee for UNICEF and in the same year, the group introduced donation platforms in collaboration with KakaoTalk.
It was announced in June 2019 that the funds accumulated for the global campaign have reached 2.4 Billion, while the hashtag #BTSLoveMyself has been used across social media 2 million times.
BTS' message saying, “You have to love yourself to be able to love others,” is making positive changes all over the world. I think this award is the result gained thanks to the positive influence of BTS - the group that brings courage and comfort to children and young people on Earth.
“As a Korean like them, I am proud of this award. I would like to once again send my sincere thanks to BTS and Big Hit Entertainment, who always enthusiastically support UNICEF's #ENDviolence campaign," said Lee Ki Chul, the secretary-general of UNICEF Korea.
Kudos to the meaningful acts of “LOVE MYSELF” campaign, Kudos BTS!
