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BTS’s V Praised For Diversity Inclusion In His New Music Video

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BTS‘s V is being praised for his diversity inclusion.

BTS's V
BTS’s V | BIGHIT MUSIC

On Friday, March 15, V released his new pop single, “FRI(END)S,” which is unique from his Layover EP. Along with its release, a “dark comedy” style music video dropped, starring V as a man hopeless for love in a world full of couples.

V ‘FRI(END)S’ Official MV 3-56 screenshot
| HYBE LABELS/YouTube

Since K-Pop music videos are usually filmed in South Korea, they are not generally very diverse. However, V reportedly filmed “FRI(END)S” in the United Kingdom, so he used a British director, actors, etc. This allowed for more diversity than the average MV.

V ‘FRI(END)S’ Official MV 1-0 screenshot
| HYBE LABELS/YouTube
V ‘FRI(END)S’ Official MV 1-2 screenshot
| HYBE LABELS/YouTube

For half of the MV, V is lonely, going through life surrounded by couples kissing everywhere. The video showcased the beautiful diversity of love, including many LGBTQIA+ couples. All ages, genders, ethnicities, etc. were represented.

V ‘FRI(END)S’ Official MV 1-48 screenshot
| HYBE LABELS/YouTube

ARMYs couldn’t help but get emotional while watching. They felt appreciative of their idol for including diverse couples.

Additionally, ARMYs noted just how meaningful it was. South Korea is still a conservative country with few rights for the LGBTQIA+ community. So, for V to openly show his allyship is admirable.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in South Korea face prejudice, discrimination, and other barriers to social inclusion not experienced by their heterosexual counterparts. Same-sex intercourse is legal for civilians in South Korea, but in the military, same-sex intercourse among soldiers is a crime, and all able-bodied men must complete about two years of military service under the conscript system. South Korean national law does not recognize same-sex marriage or civil unions, nor does it protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Same-sex couples cannot jointly adopt, and a 2021 Human Rights Watch investigation found that LGBT students face “bullying and harassment, a lack of confidential mental health support, exclusion from school curricula, and gender identity discrimination” in South Korean schools.

— Wikipedia

Time and time again, the BTS members have proved themselves to be true LGBTQIA+ allies. Previously, Jungkook also included a lesbian couple in his music video.

Watch V’s full “FRI(END)S” MV below.

A.R.M.Y Koreaboo

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