BTS leader RM is set to make history as the first K-pop artist to deliver a keynote address at the APEC CEO Summit, one of the most high-profile side events of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting. The global icon is scheduled to speak at the Gyeongju Arts Center on Wednesday, during the summit’s second day, marking a significant moment for both Korean culture and international soft power diplomacy.
His address, titled “The Cultural Creative Industries in the APEC Region and the Soft Power of K-Culture,” will explore the expanding global influence of Korean entertainment and its growing role as a driver of cross-cultural understanding and economic value. According to the summit’s organizing committee, RM’s session will run for approximately ten minutes, from 3:05 to 3:15 PM, though the specific contents of his remarks remain confidential until the event.
As the frontman of BTS — the group widely credited with elevating K-pop to worldwide prominence — RM has long been recognized as both a musical innovator and a thoughtful spokesperson for his generation. His participation at APEC follows a legacy of impactful speeches, including his 2018 address at the United Nations General Assembly and his 2020 remarks during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In each appearance, RM has been praised for articulating messages of self-expression, resilience, and global unity through the lens of culture and creativity.
The APEC CEO Summit serves as a platform for dialogue among leaders of the 21 member economies and major business executives from across the Asia-Pacific region. This year’s theme, “Beyond, Business, Bridge,” emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and inclusive growth in a rapidly changing global landscape. RM’s presence is expected to bring a cultural dimension to the summit’s economic discussions, reinforcing how creative industries can bridge communities and generate new forms of international cooperation.
Industry observers note that RM’s invitation reflects the rising significance of cultural diplomacy in shaping global narratives. His address is anticipated to highlight how K-culture — spanning music, film, fashion, and digital media — has become a key pillar of South Korea’s global influence.
Through his upcoming keynote, RM not only represents BTS’s extraordinary impact but also embodies a broader message about the power of art to transcend borders. His participation in the APEC CEO Summit marks a defining moment where culture meets policy, symbolizing a new era in which creativity stands at the heart of global dialogue.
