RM, the leader of global pop phenomenon BTS, has become the first Korean pop artist to deliver a keynote speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit – a stage usually reserved for world leaders and industry giants.
The rapper, songwriter and cultural ambassador spoke in Jeonju on October 29, during the cultural session of the second day of the summit titled “Cultural and Creative Industries and the Soft Power of Korean Culture in the APEC Region.”
“I’m just an artist. Not a business leader, so today I want to talk to you as a creator and an artist,” said RM, 31, as he addressed an audience of policymakers and executives gathered at the region’s annual business forum.
“When cultural barriers dissolve and different voices blend together, there is an explosion of creative energy,” he continued. “That’s why K-Pop is loved everywhere.”
RM went on to highlight the global influence of BTS’s fan base, saying that the group’s ARMY — a crowd of millions that spans continents — “cross borders and break down barriers through the pure power of cultural solidarity.”
The speech served as a symbolic moment of Korean soft power, as South Korea continues to leverage its cultural exports as a major driver of economic and diplomatic influence. RM compared the culture to a “free-flowing river,” and K-pop itself to “bibimbap” — a traditional Korean dish that blends diverse ingredients into one harmonious whole.