On June 2, BTS surprised viewers with a powerful appearance during MBC’s special broadcast for Korea’s 21st presidential election vote count. Their message, paired with Korea’s historical moments, delivered a strong sense of unity and pride that touched the hearts of many.
Right before the official vote count began at 8 PM KST, MBC aired a special countdown video titled “That Day, Together, Now.” It started with AI-restored footage of Son Ki Jeong at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and moved through other key historical events like the 1920 Battle of Cheongsanri and the 1931 Korean Patriotic Corps in Shanghai.
In a deeply moving moment, the broadcast featured a famous quote from Kim Gu during Korea’s liberation anniversary in 1946: “We, as a people, are now stepping onto the world stage.” Then, in a seamless transition, BTS’s leader RM appeared in archive footage from the group’s 2018 UN speech, saying, “So, let’s take another step forward.” The combination of these messages showed how Korea’s history and culture continue to move forward, together.
The surprise inclusion of both BTS and award-winning director Bong Joon Ho through archival footage was seen as a tribute to their role in taking Korean culture global. Viewers praised the way past and present voices were connected, with many saying the video gave them goosebumps.
Netizens shared emotional reactions online, calling the clip “historic,” “touching,” and “a moment that made me proud to be Korean.” Many said it showed how far the country has come — from the struggles of the past to standing tall on the world stage today.
In addition to the video, MBC also introduced a groundbreaking six-sided LED studio and new tech systems like Touch M and Data M to present voting results and trends. The unique visuals and informative presentation style earned praise from viewers for raising the bar in election coverage.
This broadcast didn’t just share numbers — it told a powerful story of Korea’s past, present, and future, with BTS helping to carry that message to the world.
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