In a groundbreaking moment for both diplomatic gatherings and the entertainment industry, BTS member RM has become the first K-pop artist to deliver a keynote speech at the APEC CEO Summit, marking a significant departure from the forum’s traditionally business-focused agenda.
The rapper and songwriter addressed global leaders at the Gyeongju Arts Centre as part of a special cultural session, bringing attention to the economic potential and soft power influence of K-culture on the international stage.
During his address, RM emphasized the growing global impact of Korean cultural exports, noting how K-pop serves as a bridge connecting diverse cultures and facilitating cross-cultural understanding.
K-pop’s cultural diplomacy transcends borders, creating meaningful connections between nations through shared artistic experiences.
“The cultural industry has been chosen as a key agenda for the first time at APEC,” he observed, highlighting this unprecedented recognition of creative industries within a forum typically dominated by trade and economic policy discussions.
Rather than focusing on financial metrics or business strategies, RM approached his speech from an artist’s perspective, concentrating on the vision for a future creative ecosystem built through international collaboration.
This unique viewpoint provided APEC leaders with insights into how cultural industries generate both economic value and soft power influence across borders.
The invitation extended to RM signals a significant shift in APEC’s priorities, acknowledging the substantial economic contributions of creative and cultural sectors to regional economies.
K-pop’s remarkable ability to transcend linguistic and cultural barriers has positioned it as a leading force in global cultural trends, with economic implications that merit serious consideration among world leaders.
RM’s participation at the summit serves a dual purpose, functioning as both cultural ambassadorship and advocacy for greater investment in creative industries.
His speech reflects the incredible journey from BTS’s humble beginnings when they struggled for recognition due to cultural barriers and had to promote their music through street performances.
Through his keynote, he advocated for strengthened international cooperation to enhance cultural exchange and collaboration, setting the stage for the cultural industry to play a more prominent role in future APEC discussions.
He also highlighted how today’s artists can create diverse revenue streams through sync deals that extend beyond traditional performance, bringing attention to the economic potential when music and visual media industries collaborate internationally.
Drawing parallels to Korean cuisine, he described K-pop as a cultural bibimbap that successfully blends diverse influences while maintaining a distinctly Korean identity.
This unprecedented appearance by a K-pop artist at such a prestigious global business forum underscores the growing recognition of cultural industries as powerful drivers of economic growth and international influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
RM also emphasized how modern artists can leverage streaming platforms to reach global audiences without traditional gatekeepers, democratizing music distribution across borders.
