Nowadays, BTS is often referred to as “national treasure of South кσяєα” and the “national pride.” However, BTS's influence extends far beyond their home country and has spread across the globe. Internationally, the group has been described as the "Pop Icons of the 21st Century," a "global cultural phenomenon," and even "the Beatles of the 21st Century."
The performance of "Body To Body" during the ARIRANG World Tour is one of the clearest demonstrations of the unprecedented influence wielded by the K-pop superstars. From Goyang in South кσяєα to Tokyo Dome in נαραи, Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, or Estadio GNP Seguros in мєχι¢σ, tens of thousands of fans speaking different languages have united in singing the кσяєαn folk song "Arirang" in кσяєαn. The sheer volume seems capable of shaking the sky itself, sending chills down the spine of anyone who witnesses it.
Over more than a decade of activity, BTS has gradually transcended every boundary to become a cultural symbol representing South кσяєα on the international stage. From the halls of the United Nations to the Wнιтe House, from global social campaigns to high-level diplomatic events, the group's presence has become increasingly visible and significant. One of the most recent examples came during a meeting between the leaders of fяαи¢є and South кσяєα!
Specifically, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit held from June 15–17, 2026, in Évian-les-Bains, fяαи¢є, under the leadership of President Emmanuel Macron, the French leader held an official meeting with newly elected South кσяєαn President Lee Jae-myung, who attended this year's summit as a guest invitee alongside the leaders of ιи∂ια, вяαzιℓ, and Kenya.
Notably, following the meeting, the official Instagram accounts of the French President and the G7 organizers shared a video capturing the historic handshake between the two heads of state. The clip quickly generated excitement online after viewers noticed that its background music was "Into The Sun," a track from BTS's ARIRANG album released in March. The song is also used as the closing number during the group's highly acclaimed ongoing world tour.
For many fans, this was far more than a simple musical choice! The move was widely viewed as a symbolic acknowledgment of BTS as a leading representative of South кσяєαn popular culture. The group's music has evolved into a form of soft diplomatic power, helping foster a sense of connection while expressing respect toward the South кσяєαn delegation during an important international event.
The appearance of a кσяєαn-language song in official media content αѕѕociated with a Western head of state is seen by many as evidence that BTS's music has truly become part of the mainstream global cultural landscape. It demonstrates that not only the general public, but also world leaders, are familiar with and willing to incorporate the group's work into internationally significant contexts.
Interestingly, President Macron is not the only prominent figure to have used BTS's music in official communications. Last August, billionaire Bill Gates also featured BTS's music in content shared on his personal account. In a speech summarizing his visit to East Asia, Gates used BTS's iconic song "Spring Day" as the background music.
In the video, Gates discussed his meetings with South кσяєαn leaders aimed at strengthening strategic cooperation in global health, vaccine development, and programs dedicated to saving children's lives around the world. The inclusion of "Spring Day" helped reinforce the message of the speech, making it even more emotional and engaging.
On a related note, when these diplomatic moments are viewed alongside the recent controversy surrounding the Grammys' decision to introduce the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, a striking contrast emerges. While one of αмєяι¢α's most prestigious music awards has faced criticism from some observers for allegedly creating new categories that separate Asian artists from the top races, leaders on the global stage appear to view BTS as a worldwide cultural symbol whose influence extends far beyond music itself.
The gesture from the Élysée Palace once again reinforces BTS's global reach, remarkable soft power, and distinguished status as K-pop superstars whose impact is increasingly being recognized on the international diplomatic stage!
