BTS leader RM speaks after the K-pop group’s members are appointed as the honorary ambassadors to bid for the 2030 World Expo in South Korean port city Busan. Photo courtesy of Busan city

Famed Boy band appointed as honorary ambassador

K-pop megastar BTS members were officially appointed this week as the honorary ambassadors to promote South Korean port city Busan’s attempt to host the World Expo in 2030.

The Busan bid committee visited the central Seoul head office of Big Hit Music, the label of the famous seven-piece boy band, to ink the contract.

Under the appointment, BTS will help the presentations of the Busan bid committee at the gatherings of the BIE, which supervises the world expo. When BIE inspectors visit Busan, BTS members will guide them.

The music act will also perform together in Busan this October, although they recently announced to suspend playing as a group and seek solo careers.

Indeed, BTS member J-Hope released his first solo album “Jack in the Box” earlier this month.

“We are honored to become public relations ambassadors for the Busan World Expo,” BTS leader RM said after the signing event. “We will do the little we can.”

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, who leads the corporate sector to underpin Busan’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo, welcomed the decision.

“This is a huge momentum. The BIE has 170 member countries. By contrast, ARMY has members from 197 countries. I think the competition is almost done,” Chey joked.

Short for the Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth, ARMY refers to the international fan base of BTS.

BTS is the third honorary ambassador of the Busan bid committee, following actor Lee Jung-jae and the country’s artificial intelligence character named Rozy.

Last year, actor Lee gained the spotlight from across the world thanks to Netflix original drama “Squid Game,” the most successful show ever on the video streaming platform.

The World EXPO is one of the major global events, comparable to the Olympics and the World Cup.

Currently, several cities are competing, including Rome of Italy, Riyadh of Saudi Arabia, and South Korea’s Busan.

The eventual winner will be disclosed late next year.
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