On October 29, 2025, BTS leader RM (Kim Nam Joon) stood before global business executives at the APEC CEO Summit in Gyeongju. He’s the same artist who once had to point out South Korea on a map before people would listen to his music. Instead of talking profits or policies, he spoke about bibimbap, dreams, and how culture heals what divides us. Discover how RM called on world leaders to support creators and the cultural industry.
BTS Leader RM Makes History with Empowering Speech at APEC CEO Summit 2025
When Art Meets Leadership
The Gyeongju Arts Center buzzed with anticipation as global CEOs and political leaders from 21 economies gathered. And there, taking the stage, was RM—the first K-pop artist ever to keynote the APEC CEO Summit.
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to introduce myself and deliver a message to you, the key figures of APEC, in the Republic of Korea, where I was born and raised,” RM began.
“As a creator, I feel a deep sense of pride and anticipation, especially with the fact that ‘cultural industries’ have been elevated to a key APEC agenda for the first time this year.”
With disarming honesty, he set the tone: “I’m an artist, not a business leader. I don’t think you’d want me to just throw out numbers or statistics here.” Instead, he offered something more valuable—a creator’s perspective on how culture builds bridges that economics alone cannot.
The Bibimbap Moment
RM has always had a gift for making complex ideas feel simple. His bibimbap analogy captured hearts instantly.
“I liken K-pop music to ‘bibimbap,’ a traditional Korean dish,” he explained. “K-Pop embraces Western musical elements like hip-hop, R&B, and EDM without rejecting them, while also fusing them with unique Korean aesthetics, emotions, and production systems. Like bibimbap, these disparate elements, while maintaining their own distinct identities, blend together to create a new result.”
He went deeper: “K-Pop’s success isn’t due to the superiority of any particular culture. It stems from preserving Korea’s unique identity while respecting diversity and broadly embracing global cultures. When cultural boundaries collapse and diverse voices harmoniously blend, creative energy explodes.”
The Struggles That Built Strength
RM didn’t just celebrate success—he also shared the painful struggles.
“Just over a decade ago, when BTS first entered the international market, I couldn’t have imagined this kind of glory,” he reflected. “At the time, BTS’s music was naturally categorized as a ‘non-English culture,’ and entering mainstream broadcasting platforms with our music felt like a test bed for whether Korean music could thrive on the global stage.”
The barriers were real: “We couldn’t just wait around. To create our own opportunities, we even danced and sang on the streets, handing out free concert flyers.”
But the deepest pain came from invisibility: “Whenever we introduced ourselves as ‘Korean artists,’ we were often asked random questions, not about our music. ‘Are you from North Korea or South Korea?’, ‘Where is Korea?’ It was a stark reality: we had to explain Korea’s place before our music.”
Then came the triumph: “But today, I’ve overcome that barrier and am here with you.”
ARMY: The Force That Changed Everything
RM’s gratitude toward ARMY wove throughout his speech. After joking about his recent military service—“Oh! Don’t misunderstand. Although I recently completed my 18-month military service, ARMY is the official name of BTS’s fandom,” he delivered the truth:
“The key force that broke down this enormous barrier was ARMY. They use our music as a medium to communicate across borders and languages. ARMY, once considered ‘supporters of Asian minority cultures,’ has become a new community and fandom culture, providing a refreshing shock to the global cultural market.”
He continued: “Even now, through the power of pure cultural solidarity, they exert a positive influence that transcends borders. This ‘borderless inclusiveness’ and ‘strong solidarity’ of ARMY continues to inspire me creatively.”
A Call to Action for Leaders
RM stood before decision-makers who shape global policies, and he made his request clear.
“As creators and artists of this era, I ask APEC leaders to provide financial support and opportunities for creators around the world to flourish their creativity. Investment in future generations must be addressed from both an economic and a cultural perspective.”
His metaphor was powerful: “As leaders of APEC, your policies and support will provide a canvas of inspiration and a playground for creators around the world to unleash their creativity. When creators fully unleash their creativity, they will create new values that transcend borders.”
The metaphor hit perfectly. Leaders provide the canvas, artists create the masterpiece, and humanity benefits from the beauty.
This message resonated because it came from someone who’s lived it. RM knows what it’s like to create without resources, to dream bigger than circumstances allow. He was asking leaders to make the path easier for the next generation of dreamers.
A Promise to Do More
RM closed his speech not with self-congratulation, but with commitment:
“I support APEC’s vision of driving inclusion and growth through culture and creativity. As an artist, I pledge to fully embrace the broader opportunities you will open, contributing to the values of courage, hope, and inclusiveness through music.”
Where Dreams Meet Tomorrow
RM’s speech at APEC 2025 wasn’t about celebrating what BTS has achieved. It was about paving the way for every young person with a dream and a voice.
His final words were a call to partnership:
“I once again ask APEC leaders to be your steadfast supporters, enabling creators to fully unleash their creativity and resonate deeply with the world.”
His words weren’t demanding. They were inviting leaders to see what he’s seen—that supporting creators isn’t charity. It’s an investment in human connection, understanding, and hope.
RM didn’t deliver that speech for applause alone. He invited all to create change together.
For creators: Don’t wait for perfect conditions. BTS didn’t. They created in a small studio, danced on the streets, and kept believing until the world listened. Your canvas is being prepared right now.
For leaders: RM handed you a blueprint for investment that generates human connection, not just profit. Culture moves faster than diplomacy and reaches deeper than policy. Will you provide the playground he described?
For K-pop fans: This moment is yours. Every time you translated lyrics, organized charity projects, or shared why a song mattered, you were building bridges. Your passion wasn’t “just fandom.” It was a cultural force.
RM said, “culture flows seamlessly, transcending boundaries.” Culture works like a river. But it needs tributaries to flow. Fresh streams. New voices and energy. That’s what keeps it alive.
So, now what? Here’s the real question:
- If you’re a creator: What are you going to make today that nobody’s seen before?
- If you’re a creator: What’s one obstacle you can clear out of someone’s dream?
- If you’re a fan: Who deserves a bigger spotlight? Whose work should more people know about?
The stage is set. The world is listening. The canvas is ready.
Now it’s our turn to create something beautiful together—where every voice matters, every dream deserves support, and culture flows freely into the river that connects us all.
So, how has K-pop changed your perspective on culture? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Watch BTS RM’s full speech at the APEC CEO Summit 2025 and witness the moment that history will remember.
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