“Global Attention” BTS’s Jin Sweeps the Spotlight as Torchbearer for the Paris Olympics
Jin captivated the spotlight as a torchbearer for the "2024 Paris Summer Olympics"
On July 14th (local time), BTS’s Jin participated in the torch relay for the “2024 Paris Summer Olympics” held in Paris, France. He carried the torch from the Rivoli street intersection to the Carrousel Plaza and handed it over to the next runner in front of the Louvre Pyramid. Major media outlets in France, the United States and other countries swiftly reported on the local atmosphere and Jin’s popularity, focusing on his activities.
The French weekly Paris Match published an article titled “Paris Olympic Torchbearer, Superstar BTS’s Jin”, stating, “More diverse people than ever gathered on Rivoli street. Wherever you went, there were members of BTS’s fan club, ‘ARMY’.” They were amazed at the crowd filling the streets to see Jin.
Paris Match described Jin as “appearing before the public with a bright smile” and referred to his role as a torchbearer representing South Korea as “a heavy responsibility but also a source of pride”. They emphasized that the warm reception Jin received on this Bastille Day highlighted BTS’s global fame once again.
Paris Match had previously included Jin among the famous individuals who would carry the torch in Paris on July 14th and 15th, noting that Jin was the only foreigner among their selections. Other renowned French newspapers, such as Le Monde and Le Figaro, also mentioned Jin’s participation as a torchbearer, stating that he “represents South Korea”.
The American news agency AP (Associated Press) introduced Jin as “one of the most notable torchbearers, a K-pop icon and BTS member”. The American music magazine Billboard spotlighted Jin, saying, “Over the decades, many have participated as torchbearers, including global musicians like John Legend and Jin.”
Meanwhile, BTS, to which Jin belongs, has made a significant impact on the global music scene, being called the “21st-century pop icon”. BTS has cemented their status as a global artist, promoting positive influence through their speeches at the UN General Assembly and the ongoing “LOVE MYSELF” campaign in collaboration with UNICEF Korea since 2017.
