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| Photo credit: BIGHIT Music |
Known for his strong stance for the arts and culture, it's only correct that Kim Namjoon (RM), leader of BTS, gave a powerful speech at the latest APEC 2025 summit held at the Gyeongju Arts Center in North Gyeongsang Province. In his speech, RM urged people to recognise the importance of creativity, marking this the first time that the cultural and creative industry has been elevated to become a key agenda in the summit, proving its growing soft influence. Speaking on the global reach of K-culture and its popularity in the West, RM became the first K-pop artist to take to the APEC stage while discussing the importance of embracing diversity while staying true to Korea’s unique identity.
During his speech his passion for the arts was clear. He spoke about not only how culture serves as a dynamic force but also its profound influence on community and fandoms. The Hallyu wave has undoubtedly had a hold on many audiences around the world. From Squid Games to the recent film The Demon Hunters, which has become one of the most watched titles on platforms like Netflix, with its soundtrack continuing to stay strong on the Billboard Hot 100. What’s clear is that K-culture's global impact is at its highest. Talking to the audience, RM remarked, “I’m sure you all agree that the cultural industry has great economic value and growth potential. But I’m just an artist. I’m not a business leader. I don’t think you want to hear any numbers or figures from me.”
Reflecting on how Korea is perceived in the West compared to just over a decade ago, RM shared, “BTS first started to go outside Korea about ten years ago. Back then, we didn’t dream of what we see today. Nothing was like this.” Reflecting on the growth that we now see on a global stage today, “At that time, the music of BTS was quickly called ‘non-English, foreign culture.’” Trying to get on mainstream media through our music was like doing an experiment and a huge challenge. It was a test to see if “music in Korean can work on the global stage”. We tried to get on TV to show the world our music, but the doors were closed and would not move.”
Of course, today we know many things about the country, not just the stereotypes first put upon idols branching out to countries like the US.
“When we said we are “artists from Korea”, they didn’t ask us about our music. RM recalled. “They asked, ‘Are you from North Korea or South Korea?’ ‘Where on earth is Korea?’. So, we had to explain where Korea was before we could even talk about music. And that was reality.”
Touching on the struggles he and the members of BTS faced in the early days, he highlighted one unexpected source of strength: solidarity. “ARMY was the force that broke down those barriers. They use our music as the medium to carry out conversations that cross borders and languages. They were inspired by the message in the music of BTS to give to charity and to run social campaigns. And finally, the world was amazed. Back then ARMY was seen as “supporters of a minority culture from Asia”. Now, they shake the world as a new community and a fandom culture.”
Urging the audience to question their own relationship with culture and love for the arts, he went on to pose a simple yet thought-provoking question: “Ladies and gentlemen, leaders of APEC, let me ask you a question.
What is your favourite song? Do you remember seeing a painting that took your breath away? A book you read over and over again? We all know, we all love culture and art. And we are connected by the emotion and resonance that they awaken in us.”
Before closing his speech reminding them to keep supporting all creatives no matter how big or small, “I would like to ask for your support for this future. And I think, and I believe, you can make this happen. Your support can make creators let their creativity soar. With your help, their creations will resonate around the whole world.”
Below is RM’s full speech at the APEC CEO Summit Korea 2025.
Hello. I’m RM, the leader of BTS.
It's an honor to be here and to meet the leaders of APEC here in Korea, where I was born and raised. I’m honored to tell you about myself, and to share my message. I’m proud and excited that this year, for the first time, the “cultural industry” was chosen as a key agenda for APEC.
At that time, the music of BTS was quickly called “non-English, foreign culture”. Trying to get on mainstream media through our music was like doing an experiment and a huge challenge. It was a test to see if “music in Korean can work on the global stage”. We tried to get on TV to show the world our music, but the doors were closed and would not move.
We all know, we all love culture and art. And we are connected by the emotion and resonance that they awaken in us. As the leaders of APEC, your policies and support will be the canvas and playground for all the creators. The foundation for creators all over the world to pour out their creativity. When creators flourish, other elements of culture gather to form some brand new aesthetics. Their content will go beyond all kinds of “differences”. They will blaze a road of true understanding and tolerance. They will create the power of solidarity for the future.
I’m not sure how familiar you are with K-Culture or K-Pop. But I’m sure you all agree that the cultural industry has great economic value and growth potential. But I’m just an artist. I’m not a business leader. I don’t think you want to hear any numbers or figures from me.
So today I want to speak to you as a creator and an artist. I want to share my thoughts on how K-Pop crossed borders to move the hearts of people. It’s not something we can calculate or measure. It’s a bridge that connects worlds, and I want to bring your attention to how we can work together to build this connection for tomorrow’s creative cultural ecosystem.
I’m a very lucky person.
I’m lucky to have met the six other members of BTS. I’m lucky that I met our producer “hitman” Bang who gave us his full support that we could make the music we love. And most importantly, I’m lucky I met ARMY, who accept our music not just as a diversion but as our shared language of life.
Oh, by the way, “ARMY” is the name of the official BTS fandom. Further information, “The ARMY” is where I just finished my military service. I was there for 18 months. Just wanted to make sure.
ARMY’s support and passion crossed all borders and opened up brand new paths for me. They gave me a voice that was heard at the Billboard Music Awards, at the Grammys. At the United Nations and even at the White House. At such historic and symbolic events, like right here at the APEC.
BTS first started to go outside Korea about ten years ago. Back then, we didn’t dream of what we see today. Nothing was like this.
Did you ever turn on your TV or radio and hear a song that’s not in your language or English? Probably not very often. I felt how hard it is to ever hear a Korean song in an English-speaking country. I saw how high a cultural barrier could be.
But, as you know, we couldn’t just sit around and wait. We tried to make our own opportunities. we danced in the streets. We handed out flyers to free shows. But there was something even more difficult than those. When we said we are “artists from Korea”, they didn’t ask us about our music. They asked, “Are you from North Korea or South Korea?” “Where on earth is Korea?”. So, We had to explain where Korea was before we could even talk about music. And that was reality.
But we overcame those barriers, and now I’m here today sharing this precious moment with you.
ARMY was the force that broke down those barriers. They use our music as the medium to carry out conversations that cross borders and languages. They were inspired by the message in the music of BTS to give to charity, to run social campaigns. And finally, the world was amazed. Back then ARMY was seen as “supporters of a minority culture from Asia”. Now, they shake the world as a new community and a fandom culture.
Even at this very moment they are crossing borders and breaking down barriers through the pure power of cultural solidarity. Solidarity and tolerance that know no borders. And it’s an endless source of creative inspiration for me as well.
There is so much cultural content around the whole world. But why K-Pop? Why is it so unique? Why does K-Pop create this powerful and inclusive community?
It’s because of the special principle of unity of K-Pop. This is what enables people from such diverse backgrounds to come together, just through the medium of K-Pop.
I like to compare K-Pop music to “Bibimbap”.
Bibimbap is a traditional Korean dish. You have to taste it. You take “bap”, which is rice. Then you put all kinds of vegetables, meat and flavorings on top, and mix it all up. That’s the “bibim”.
K-Pop is much the same. You take Korea’s unique aesthetics, emotions and production system. But you don’t turn away elements of Western music, like hip-hop, R&B and EDM. Just Like Bibimbap, these parts all keep their unique identities but mix together to make something new and fresh and delightful. K-Pop is not just a genre of music. It’s a 360-degree, total package of music, dance, performance, visual style, story-telling, music video, and even social media.
K-Pop’s success didn’t happen because one single culture was better. K-Pop’s success came from respecting diversity and embracing world cultures, but still holding onto Korea’s unique identity. When cultural barriers come down and different voices harmonize together, there’s an explosion of creative energy. This is where ARMY’s borderless solidarity came from. And this is why K-Pop is loved everywhere.
Culture is like a river. It flows freely, different streams sometimes coming together in harmony, just like K-Pop. Coming together to carry itself far away and create something new.
I would like to see this creative flow of culture happen everywhere around the world. The Asia-Pacific region has incredible dynamic cultural diversity. K-Pop’s shining success is proof that cultural diversity and creativity are the greatest human potential. A force with no borders, no limit to growth.
Ladies and gentlemen, leaders of APEC, Let me ask you a question.
What is your favorite song?
Do you remember seeing a painting that took your breath away?
A book you read over and over again?
As a creator and an artist of this generation, I would like to use this opportunity to make a request to the leaders and distinguished guests of APEC.
There are creators all around the world. Please help them. Give them the financial support so that their own creativity can bloom. Give them the opportunities so that their talents can really shine. When you think about investing in tomorrow’s generations, think about culture as well as economics. Culture and art are a powerful force that moves hearts. They are the fastest messengers that carry diversity and resonance.
I, too, stand by the vision of APEC. A vision that will drive diversity, inclusion and growth through culture and creativity.
As an artist, I promise that I will also let my imagination fill the canvas you will create. I will play my heart out in the playground you will build for us. I promise that I’ll do my part by sending a message of courage and hope and a lot of emotions through music. A message of embracing our differences to make something better together.
I would like to ask for your support for this future. And I think, and I believe, you can make this happen. Your support can make creators let their creativity soar. With your help, their creations will resonate around the whole world.
Thank you.