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BTS takes on the White House: K-pop stars to meet Biden, discuss Asian representation

President Joe Biden is leveraging BTS and its ARMY of fans to help stop Asian hate and spread joy internationally.

The wildly popular South Korean K-pop group, which is made up of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook, will join Biden on May 31 "to discuss Asian inclusion and representation and to address anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination," the White House announced Thursday.

"President Biden and BTS will also discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion and BTS’ platform as youth ambassadors who spread a message of hope and positivity across the world," a statement read.

Attacks on Asian American communities have been on the rise amid the COVID-19 pandemic. There were upwards of 9,000 anti-Asian hate incident reports from March 19, 2020 to June 30, 2021, according to Stop AAPI Hate, a coalition created in 2020 to track and respond to incidents of hate against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S.

The group reported a sharp increase in incidents, going from 6,603 to 9,081, betwee April 2021 to June 2021.

AAPI Heritage Month: See Asian trailblazers in entertainment from Mindy Kaling to BTS to Vera Wang

In response, Biden signed into law May 2021 the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act to expedite the Justice Department's review of hate crimes and designate an official at the department to oversee the effort. The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.

Ahead of their visit to the nation's capital, BTS will reveal their gradual journey to becoming K-pop superstars through a new Apple Music weekly limited series.

The streaming service announced Thursday that BTS will launch their new show “BTS Radio: Past & Present” on Apple Music 1. The three-episode limited series will air weekly, leading up to the release of the band’s new album “Proof,” which arrives on June 10. The inaugural episode will air May 28 (9 a.m. EDT/6 a.m. PDT).

BTS' visit comes at the end of AAPI Heritage Month and joins a slew of young stars the president has tapped to share messages from the White House.

Earlier in May, Selena Gomez stopped by the nation's capital to host the first-ever Mental Health Youth Action Forum led by MTV Entertainment — an event encouraging businesses and peers to address the growing youth mental health crisis affecting more than a third of high school students.

During her meeting with first lady Jill Biden, Ambassador Susan Rice and 30 activists and creators, Gomez spoke emotionally about her bipolar diagnosis and why the cause is "very personal" for her.

Selena Gomez at White House: She explains why mental health is 'personal'

Dr. Jill Biden, Juan Acosta, Selena Gomez and Dr. Vivek Murthy appear on stage as MTV Entertainment hosts first ever Mental Health Youth Forum at The White House on May 18, 2022 in Washington, DC.
Dr. Jill Biden, Juan Acosta, Selena Gomez and Dr. Vivek Murthy appear on stage as MTV Entertainment hosts first ever Mental Health Youth Forum at The White House on May 18, 2022 in Washington, DC.

"I felt like once I found out what was going on mentally, I found that there was more freedom for me to be OK with what I had," Gomez said. "Bringing attention to mental health through media or just talking about your own journeys can help. It sets the example that it's a topic that can and should be discussed freely and without shame."

The members of BTS have also been open about their mental health. Last year, the group decided to take a much-needed break "to get re-inspired and recharge with creative energy," the group's management team, Big Hit, said in a statement at the time.

"We kindly ask once again that you show consideration for their need to enjoy ordinary and free, everyday lives while solely concentrating on themselves, albeit for a short while, during their period of rest," the statement added.

Experts called the move "admirable" for the group to prioritize their well-being in a culture plagued by mental health taboos.

Earlier in May, the White House welcomed a group of AAPI powerhouses including actor Daniel Dae Kim, authors Eva Chen and Jenny Han and fashion designer Prabal Gurung to celebrate the month and to condemn "an epidemic of hate in our country."

Last year, Biden also welcomed singers Olivia Rodrigo and Ciara to the White House to promote COVID-19 vaccines among young people.

Olivia Rodrigo at White House: Star rocks Aviator sunglasses with Biden, meets with Fauci for vaccine campaign

Contributing: Jenna Ryu, Savannah Behrmann, Elinor Aspegren, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: BTS' White House visit: K-pop stars to talk Asian inclusion with Biden