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We sat down waiting for our turn. It soon became our turn. We bowed and went up. Namjoon went to the position with his script. I had mine in my hand.
"Thank you, Mr. Secretary General, UNICEF Executive Director, Excellencies and distinguished guests from across the world. My name is Kim Nam Jun, also known as RM, the leader of the group BTS. It's an incredible honor to be invited to an occasion with such significance for today's young generation. Last November, BTS launched the "Love Myself" campaign with UNICEF, building on our belief that "true love first begins with loving myself". We have been partnering with UNICEF's #ENDviolence program to protect children and young people all over the world from violence. Our fans have become a major part in this campaign with their action and enthusiasm. We truly have the best fans in the world! I would like to begin by talking about myself. I was born in Ilsan, a city near Seoul, South Korea. It's a beautiful place, with a lake, hills, and even an annual flower festival. I spent a happy childhood there, and I was just an ordinary boy. I would look up at the night sky in wonder and dream the dreams of a boy. I used to imagine that I was a superhero, saving the world. In an intro to one of our early albums, there is a line that says, "My heart stopped...I was maybe nine or ten." Looking back, that's when I began to worry about what other people thought of me and started seeing myself through their eyes. I stopped looking up at the stars at night. I stopped daydreaming. I tried to jam myself into molds that other people made. Soon, I began to shut out my own voice and started to listen to the voices of others. No one called out my name, and neither did I. My heart stopped and my eyes closed shut. So, like this, I, we, all lost our names. We became like ghosts. I had one sanctuary, and that was music. There was a small voice in me that said, 'Wake up, man, and listen to yourself!" But it took me a long time to hear music calling my name. Even after making the decision to join BTS, there were hurdles. Most people thought we were hopeless. Sometimes, I just wanted to quit. I think I was very lucky that I didn't give it all up. I'm sure that I, and we, will keep stumbling and falling. We have become artists performing in huge stadiums and selling millions of albums. But I am still an ordinary, twenty-four-year-old guy. If there's anything that I've achieved, it was only possible because I had my other BTS members by my side, and because of the love and support of our ARMY fans. Maybe I made a mistake yesterday, but yesterday's me is still me. I am who I am today, with all my faults. Tomorrow I might be a tiny bit wiser, and that's me, too. These faults and mistakes are what I am, making up the brightest stars in the constellation of my life. I have come to love myself for who I was, who I am, and who I hope to become. I would like to say one last thing. After releasing the "Love Yourself" albums and launching the "Love Myself" campaign, we started to hear remarkable stories from our fans all over the world, how our message helped them overcome their hardships in life and start loving themselves. These stories constantly remind us of our responsibility. So, let's all take one more step. We have learned to love ourselves, so now I urge you to "speak yourself." I would like to ask all of you. What is your name? What excites you and makes your heart beat? Tell me your story. I want to hear your voice, and I want to hear your conviction. No matter who you are, where you're from, your skin colour, gender identity: speak yourself. Find your name, find your voice by speaking yourself. I'm Kim Nam Jun, RM of BTS. I'm a hip-hop idol and an artist from a small town in Korea. Like most people, I made many mistakes in my life. I have many faults and I have many fears, but I am going to embrace myself as hard as I can, and I'm starting to love myself, little by little. What is your name? Speak Yourself! Thank you very much." Namjoon said in English . Everyone clapped and he looked at me and put his hand on my shoulder.
"You got this." He said.
"Thank you oppa." I smiled. I took a deep breath going up to the podium.
"Hello I am Tala Lansangan also known as Talan. I'm the youngest and well the only girl in BTS. I am quite nervous for it being my first time giving a speech. As the only girl who started off in a small area in Manila, Philippines where it was poverty, it was tough. My mother was forcing me to be a nurse but I fought back wanting to be an idol. I worked at the age of 5 behind my parents back to help my parents. I didn't attend school and had a small phone from a family member to watch videos. Those videos were kpop videos. Learning the language, music, and dances. Started rapping at 7 and used that to make more money and get noticed. I left my family at the age of 12 to become a trainee and becoming the youngest trainee in the kpop industry. I always had the dream of becoming a idol. The one who comforts and make her fans laugh and feel at home when they listen or see me. I never loved myself until I joined BTS. Like what Namjoon said, I'm starting to love myself little by little. It takes time to love yourself but with the ones by your side to motivate you and show true love then you'll learn to love yourself. Freedom of Speech, Amendment 1. You have the right, the freedom to speak up, to speak yourself. Tell your story. Scream it out to the world because someone could be listening to you and understanding what you feel. I survived violence. I was slashed on my left arm by a knife. I was shot in my chest. Almost died may times. I was a suicide survivor. 2 times I have survived. I listened to every hate I got and put a wall up and a mask on to show I was fine even though I wasn't. I was in pain and screaming for help in my mind. I was always hoping someone would notice for my sign of help. I always overworked myself to show our fans that I am worthy and to show them how much I've worked for them." I paused and took a deep breath. I shut my script.
"We care truly about the campaign and program. Violence happens all over the world causing people to hate themselves. Violence comes in all forms. Bullying, Abuse, Murder, etc. All skin colors, genders, sexualities, and more fighting against those who become violent. No one should have to fear for their life stepping out of their house or going out with a group of friends. I fear many things. I get hate all the time for everything I do. It happens to everyone. I want everyone who is scared to speak up for what they believe in to speak yourself. I am Tala Lansangan, Talan of BTS. A rapper, vocalist, and dancer from a small town in Philippines. I am a proud bisexual woman who is a surivivor of violence. I make mistakes but who doesn't. It's about learning from those mistakes and becoming better than what you were before. Love Yourself and Speak Yourself. Thank you." I said in English. Everyone clapped and I let out a breath that I held in.
