BTS leader RM made history on Wednesday as the first K-pop artist to deliver a keynote speech at the APEC CEO Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea. His ten-minute address, titled Cultural Industries and K-Culture Soft Power in the APEC Region (from a creator’s perspective), explored the global ascent of K-pop and the inclusive spirit of its fan community. RM compared K-pop’s success to bibimbap, emphasizing its principle of harmony through fusion, where diverse elements coexist without losing their identity. He explained that K-pop’s unique sound stems from blending Western genres like hip-hop, R&B, and EDM with Korean emotion and precision. RM highlighted that K-pop is not just a genre but a holistic experience encompassing music, choreography, visuals, and storytelling. He noted that its growth reflects cultural connection rather than dominance.
Reflecting on BTS’s early challenges abroad, RM recalled being labeled a non-English act and credited their global fanbase, ARMY, for breaking barriers through advocacy and charitable work. He praised ARMY’s inclusivity as a core source of his creative drive, noting that their unity has amplified BTS’s presence on international stages, from the U.N. and the White House to APEC. Closing his remarks, RM urged leaders to increase support for cultural industries, framing art as both an economic and social catalyst for diversity and inclusion. He called for policies that empower creators to express ideas freely and transform cultural differences into understanding and openness. RM’s address builds on his previous advocacy, following his 2018 U.N. speech launching BTS’s Love Myself campaign to end violence against children and youth worldwide.
