BTS RM Delivers Inspiring Speech on K-Culture and Creativity at APEC CEO Summit

By Jieun, Baek

Oct 30, 2025

BTS RM Delivers Inspiring Speech on K-Culture and Creativity at APEC CEO Summit



Group BTS RM surprised the world once again.

The '2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit' was held at the Gyeongju Arts Center in North Gyeongsang Province on the 29th.

On this day, RM spoke for about 10 minutes under the theme of 'Culture Creation Industry in the APEC Region and the Soft Power of K Culture'. RM is the only speaker at this APEC event, and RM spoke at the UN General Assembly in 2018 and 2021.




BTS RM Delivers Inspiring Speech on K-Culture and Creativity at APEC CEO Summit
Like bibimbap, which is mixed with various vegetables and meat seasoning on rice, K-pop embraces Western music elements such as hip-hop R&B EDM and fuses Korean traditional aesthetics, emotions, and production systems. It is said that different elements combine while preserving their unique identity to create fresh results.

Then "K-pop is not just a genre of music. K-pop is proud of its 360-degree total package that covers music, dance, performance, visual style, music video, storytelling, social media, etc.

RM said "When BTS first went abroad more than 10 years ago, today's glory was unimaginable. Music in BTS was classified as 'non-English speaking culture'. The threshold of overseas broadcasting stations was high and solid to promote our music. They danced and sang on the streets, and distributed free performance leaflets, but when introducing them as Korean artists, they were asked whether they were from North Korea, South Korea, and where is Korea. It was a very cold reality that I had to explain Korea's position rather than music," he recalled.




BTS RM Delivers Inspiring Speech on K-Culture and Creativity at APEC CEO Summit
He was able to overcome cultural barriers thanks to the "ARMY (official fan club in BTS). ARMY is exerting a positive influence across borders with the power of pure cultural solidarity. It also inspired BTS's creativity."Thank you to the fans.

Then "Creative energy explodes when the boundaries of culture are broken and various voices are combined. This is the fundamental attraction of the solidarity of ARMY without borders and the reason why K-pop is loved. "Please create an opportunity for creators around the world to unleash their economic support and talents to blossom creativity." Investment in future generations must be dealt with from a cultural point of view as well."

After the speech, some participants stood up and applauded.




After RM's speech, Reuters reported "RM complained of borderless diversity at trade forum over concerns over protectionism."," he noted the meaning of his speech. Leading media outlets such as the Times of India also noted that "Historical Speech".



Reporter Baek Ji-eun, silk781220@sportschosun.com , photo = Yonhap News



silk781220@sportschosun.com