ARMY fans match BTS's $1 million donation to Black Lives Matter campaign

BTS [BIG HIT ENTERTAINMENT]

Wherever BTS goes, ARMY follows; and whatever BTS does, ARMY endorses.

ARMY, the devoted worldwide fandom of K-pop sensation BTS, has raised $1 million to donate to the Black Lives Matter campaign to follow in BTS's footsteps, announced a fan collective of volunteers One In An ARMY on Sunday.

According to the collective, over $1 million has been donated by fans through its website as of Sunday. The feat was reached as part of the fans' "#MatchAMillion" campaign that began after it was announced that BTS donated $1 million to the Black Lives Matter campaign.

One In An ARMY had began a separate fund-raising project for the Black Lives Matter campaign from June 1, collecting some $50,000 in just over four days. After the "#MatchAMillion" campaign was launched online, $817,000 was donated within just 24 hours.

Over 37,000 people have taken part in the campaign and have contributed amounts that start at a dollar, said the collective.

Fan collective One In An ARMY

"We've run big projects before, but the amount of support for this project is overwhelming," said the collective in an official press release.

"We truly didn't know whether the goal would be reached. We're so proud that ARMY have once again channeled their power for good and are making a real impact in the fight against anti-black racism."

One In An ARMY was formed in 2018 when a fan asked for volunteers to promote the anti-violence campaign BTS jointly began with Unicef under the title "Love Myself," which soon turned into an international effort.

One In An ARMY currently runs four donation campaigns plus four bonus missions — which includes the Black Lives Matter campaign — and makes monthly donations to different organizations who need help.

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]