RM (Kim Nam Joon), leader of BTS, revealed the secrets behind K-pop’s worldwide appeal and called for increased support for creators around the globe.
On Wednesday afternoon, RM delivered a keynote address at the APEC CEO Summit’s cultural session, held at the Gyeongju Arts Center in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
His speech, titled “Cultural Creative Industries and K-Culture’s Soft Power in the APEC Region,” highlighted the key factors driving K-pop’s success and underscored the significance of cultural industries in the modern economy.
At the start of his address, RM said, “As a creator, I feel a deep sense of pride and anticipation that cultural industries have been elevated to a core agenda item at APEC for the first time this year.”
He reflected on his own journey, calling himself a very fortunate person and acknowledging the support of his six BTS bandmates, producer Bang Si Hyuk, and the global ARMY community, which embraces music as a universal language.
“The passion and support of ARMYs across borders have opened completely new paths for me,” RM said. “Thanks to them, I’ve had the opportunity to speak not only at global award shows like the Billboard Music Awards and the Grammys, but also at symbolic stages such as the UN General Assembly, the White House, and today’s APEC platform.”
Recalling BTS’s early international endeavors, RM described the cultural barriers the group faced: “Over a decade ago, when BTS first expanded overseas, I could never have imagined the honors we enjoy today. Audiences in English-speaking countries struggled to connect with songs sung in Korean,” he said.
He added, “When introduced as Korean artists, we were often asked questions unrelated to music, like ‘Are you from North Korea or South Korea?’ or ‘Where is Korea?’ It was a harsh reality—we had to explain the location of Korea before even talking about our music.”
RM credited ARMY as the driving force behind overcoming these obstacles: “The key force that tore down this massive wall was ARMY. Through our music, they facilitate communication across borders and languages.”
Drawing an analogy, he compared K-pop to bibimbap, the traditional Korean dish: “Just as bibimbap mixes rice with vegetables, meat, and seasonings, K-pop blends many elements together to create something unique.”
He also discussed K-pop’s musical diversity: “K-pop does not reject Western elements such as hip-hop, R&B, and EDM, but rather embraces them while integrating Korea’s unique aesthetics, sensibilities, and production systems.”
RM emphasized, “The success of K-pop isn’t about cultural superiority. It comes from maintaining Korea’s distinct identity while respecting diversity and broadly incorporating global cultures.”
Towards the end of his speech, RM directly addressed APEC leaders, urging them to support global creators: “As a creator and artist of this era, I ask APEC leaders to create opportunities and provide financial support so that creators worldwide can fully develop their talents and bring their creativity to life,” he said.
He added, “Investing in future generations should be approached not only economically but also culturally. Culture and the arts are powerful forces that move hearts and are the most effective way to convey diversity and inclusion.”
Concluding his remarks, RM said, “I support APEC’s vision of fostering inclusion and growth through culture and creativity. As an artist, I promise to contribute by exploring the opportunities you create and sharing courage, hope, and inclusivity through music.”
