BTS to join Obamas, others, in virtual graduation ceremony

BTS has been asked to give a speech for YouTube’s “Dear Class of 2020,” a virtual graduation event scheduled for June 6 that will include Barack and Michelle Obama.

The initiative is aimed at encouraging millions of students, from elementary to graduate level, who cannot enjoy their actual graduation ceremonies due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Graduation is a tradition that students and families look forward to and with the current state of the world, YouTube is lending some inspiration in the form of a virtual commencement,” Susanne Daniels, global head of original content for YouTube, explained in a May 5 press release.

Commencement speakers for the virtual graduation also include Lady Gaga, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, former United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

BTS, the only Koreans on the speaker list, is to also scheduled to perform at the “virtual grad night afterparty” with Alicia Keys, Zendaya, Kerry Washington, Kelly Rowland and other celebrities.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]