The Korean government bestowed cultural medals on members of popular K-pop boy band BTS for helping spread Korean culture.
(Clockwise from top) BTS with their awards; with Culture Minister Do Jong-hwan; and the Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit medal each member received. (Photos: BTS and MCST on Twitter)
BTS’ RM, Jungkook, Jin, Jimin, V, Suga and J-Hope each received the prestigious Hwagwan (Flower Crown) Order of Cultural Merit medal from Do Jong-hwan, head of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), at the 2018 Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards ceremony held in Seoul on Oct. 24. They are the youngest recipients of the award.
The idol group arrived at Incheon International Airport in the morning on the same day after finishing their Love Yourself world tour in Europe.
At the ceremony, Suga said he “will make effort to let Korean culture spread worldwide with the heart of a national representative” while RM dedicated the award to BTS fans, according to Yonhap News.
"You're great artists on the grounds that you are affecting the people's lives," said Minister Do. "Korean pop culture has given people around world fresh and new cultural shocks. As new cultural contents, K-pop and K-drama have changed people's daily lives and are evolving into a new Hallyu."
A total of 13 personalities were awarded the Order of Cultural Merit out of the 36 who were recognized at the ceremony.
Recipients of the Eungwan (Silver Crown) Order of Cultural Merit were veteran actor Lee Soon-jae, late singer Jo Dong-jin and, singer and producer Kim Min-ki while the Bogwan (Precious Crown) awardees were veteran actress Kim Young-ok, conductor Kim Jung-taek and screenwriter Kim Ok-young.
BTS will resume their world tour in Asia starting in Tokyo, Japan on Nov. 13 and 14 followed by Osaka, Taoyuan, Nagoya, Singapore, Fukuoka, Hong Kong and Bangkok.