On October 29, BTS member RM spoke at the APEC CEO Summit’s cultural session, sharing insights into why K-pop has achieved global success and urging leaders to support creators worldwide.
The session, held at the Gyeongju Arts Center, focused on “Creative Industries in the APEC Region and the Soft Power of K-Culture.” RM delivered the keynote address to an audience of APEC leaders and industry representatives.
Expressing pride in the elevated status of “cultural industries” on the APEC agenda, RM said, “As a creator, I feel both deep pride and great expectations that this year, culture has been recognized as a core agenda item.”
Reflecting on his personal journey, RM added, “I have been incredibly lucky. I met six extraordinary BTS members, worked with producer Bang Si Hyuk who gave us full support to pursue the music we wanted, and met ARMY worldwide, fans who embrace our music not just as entertainment but as a language of life. Their borderless passion opened a completely new path for me, enabling me to speak not only at global award shows like the ‘Billboard Music Awards’ and the Grammys, but also at the UN General Assembly, the White House, and now, this APEC stage.”
RM recalled the early days of BTS’s international expansion, noting, “A decade ago, we could not have imagined the honor of being here today. Have you ever listened to songs on TV or radio in a language that is not your own? I know firsthand how challenging it is to listen to Korean songs in English-speaking regions and how high the cultural barriers can be.”
He added, “It was even more difficult when people introduced us as ‘Korean artists.’ Instead of asking about our music, we were often met with unexpected questions: ‘Are you from North Korea or South Korea?’ ‘Where is Korea exactly?’ We had to explain the country before our music. But today, I stand here because those barriers were broken thanks to ARMY. They use our music to communicate across borders and languages.”
RM likened K-pop to Korea’s traditional dish bibimbap. “Just like bibimbap mixes rice with vegetables, meat, and seasonings, K-pop blends Western musical elements like hip-hop, R&B, and EDM with Korea’s unique aesthetics, emotions, and production systems,” he explained.
He emphasized, “K-pop’s success is not about cultural superiority. It comes from preserving Korean identity while respecting diversity and embracing global culture.”
Addressing APEC leaders, RM said, “We all love culture and the arts, and we are connected through the emotions they evoke. As creators and artists, I ask you to provide economic support and opportunities that allow creators worldwide to flourish. Investing in future generations must consider not just economics but culture. Arts and culture are powerful forces that move hearts and quickly convey diversity and inclusion.”
Concluding his keynote, RM stated, “I support APEC’s vision of fostering inclusion and growth through culture and creativity. As an artist, I promise to contribute by freely exploring the opportunities you create and spreading courage, hope, and the values of inclusion through music.”
