BTS collaborates with Starbucks in fundraising campaign to support disadvantaged young people

A picture released by Big Hit Entertainment shows BTS members. [Courtesy of Big Hit Entertainment]

SEOUL -- The South Korean branch of Starbucks, a global coffee franchise, joined hands with BTS to launch a fundraising campaign to help disadvantaged young people fulfill their dreams by providing a variety of support such as career and educational development programs when they leave children's homes to start adult lives.

As part of the American franchise's year-long campaign, Starbucks Korea and BTS jointly launched "Be the Brightest Stars" to donate a portion of sales from special BTS-collaborated products to Beautiful Foundation, a local non-profit organization, to support the "Opportunity Youth Independence Project" that includes career and educational development programs for young people.

"We hope that the influence of BTS, which we have experienced so far, will be conveyed to many customers through Starbucks," Starbucks Korea CEO Song Ho-seop said, expressing his desire that the BTS-collaborated campaign would be an opportunity for customers to become more aware of the youth support project.

A picture released by Starbucks Korea shows Blooming Purple Vin Chaud, a BTS-themed drink, which is available at selected Starbucks stores from January 21. [Courtesy of Starbucks Korea]

For its campaign, Starbucks will release special drinks and food such as "Blooming Purple Vin Chaud," a beverage flavored with elderflower, grape juice and fruit, which is available hot or cold, "Blueberry Star Macaroon", "Purpleberry Cheesecake" and "Purple Star Cupcake" on January 21 for a limited time. They bear BTS' iconic color of purple.

The coffee giant will release special merchandise collaborated with BTS such as mug cups and a glass cup set, designed luxuriously and accented with gold, as well as two types of sleeve pouches that can house laptops and tablet PCs. Starbucks stores will play "Make It Right", a hit song included in BTS' 2019 album "MAP OF THE SOUL " PERSONA".

The collaboration goes in line with BTS' move to help young people. Other than singing messages of sympathy and love through songs, the K-pop sensation has actively collaborated with international organizations to tackle social problems that pose a threat to young people's lives.

A picture released by Starbucks Korea shows special BTS-themed beverage, food and merchandise, which are available at selected Starbucks stores in South Korea from January 21. [Courtesy of Starbucks Korea]

In 2017, BTS and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) jointly launched a "LOVE YOURSELF" campaign to end violence against children and young people. Millions of Army, the global fan club of BTS, made donations or took part in online promotion to help the band raise some $1.4 million in a year.

BTS members have said that their campaign is all about encouraging every young person to find love from within themselves and spreading it to others with a message reading "We want everyone to take part in ending violence by sharing love and kindness."

In July last year, the band collaborated with UNICEF again to release a promotional music video for "#ENDviolence," a global program aimed at ending teenage violence at schools.

Park Sae-jin swatchsjp@ajunews.com

BTS collaborates with Starbucks in fundraising campaign to support disadvantaged young people

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