[theqoo][APEC 2025] BTS RM, FIRST K-POP ARTIST TO ATTEND THE APEC CEO SUMMIT, FULL KEYNOTE

"Hello everyone. I am RM, the leader of BTS.

- 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. 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.

 
- I'm not sure how familiar or deeply understanding you are of K-Culture or the K-Pop industry, but I believe we all agree on the immense economic value and growth potential of culture. As you know, I'm an artist, not a business leader. I don't think you'd want me to just throw out numbers or statistics here.

- So today, from a creator's perspective, I'd like to share my personal thoughts on how K-Pop has transcended borders and moved people's hearts, and the meaning of that emotional connection. I also ask the global leaders here today for your deep interest and cooperation in fostering a future creative cultural ecosystem.

- I'm very lucky. I met the six members of BTS, producer "hitman" Bang, who has given me unwavering support so I can focus on the music I want to create, and most importantly, I've met ARMY, a global community that embraces our music not as mere entertainment, but as a language of life.

- Oh! Don't misunderstand. Although I recently completed my 18-month military service, ARMY is the official name of BTS's fandom.

- Their transcendent support and passion have opened up entirely new avenues for me. Thanks to them, I've been able to speak at global award ceremonies like the Billboard Music Awards and the Grammy Awards, as well as iconic venues like the UN General Assembly, the White House, and even here on this APEC stage.

- Just over a decade ago, when BTS first entered the international market, I couldn't have imagined this kind of glory.

- Have you ever heard songs in a language other than your native language or English on TV or radio in your own home? I've personally experienced firsthand how difficult it is to listen to Korean songs in an English-speaking country and how profound the cultural barriers can be.

- 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 to broadcasting companies promoting our music were high and entrenched.

- However, 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 there was an even bigger challenge. 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?" These were the most common questions we heard back then. It was a stark reality: we had to explain Korea's place before our music.

- But today, I've overcome that barrier and am here with you.

- The key force that broke down this enormous barrier was ARMY. They use our music as a medium to communicate across borders and languages. Inspired by the messages contained in BTS's music, they sometimes made voluntary donations and sometimes launched social campaigns, surprising the world. 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.

- 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.

- Why, among countless global cultural contents, does K-Pop in particular create such a powerful and inclusive community?

- I believe the reason people from diverse backgrounds can unite simply through the medium of K-Pop lies in its unique principle of convergence.

- I liken K-Pop music to "bibimbap," a traditional Korean dish. Bibimbap is called "bibimbap" because it combines rice with various vegetables, meat, and seasonings, and is eaten by mixing all the ingredients together. K-Pop is no different. 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.

- K-Pop is more than just a music genre. It's a 360-degree total package encompassing music, dance, performance, visual style, music videos, storytelling content, and social media. 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.

- This is the fundamental appeal that gave birth to the borderless solidarity of ARMY and the reason K-Pop is so beloved. Culture flows seamlessly, transcending boundaries, and sometimes, like K-Pop, harmoniously combines to create new value. And I hope this creative flow of culture continues throughout the world.

- The Asia-Pacific region, in particular, boasts the most dynamic cultural diversity. As the remarkable growth of K-Pop demonstrates, cultural diversity and creativity represent the greatest human potential, boundless by national borders and boundless by growth. APEC leaders, what is your favorite music? What art piece has taken your breath away, or what film has changed your life? Yes, that's right. We all love culture and the arts, and we connect through their emotions and resonance.

- 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. Culture and the arts are powerful motivators and the easiest and fastest means of conveying diversity and inclusiveness.

- 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. Their content will transcend all forms of "difference," opening the way to true understanding and inclusion, and fostering the power of solidarity for a better future. 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. I once again ask APEC leaders to be your steadfast supporters, enabling creators to fully unleash their creativity and resonate deeply with the world.

Thank you for listening. Thank you."

original post: here

1.  "I'm very lucky. I met producer "hitman" Bang, who has given me unwavering support so I can focus on the music I want to create" They really know no shame 

2. Wow he only spoke good words. He's cool!!!

3. He's cool 

4. Wow he's so good 

5. The 2 legends of K-pop

6. Our leader~ you suffered~~~

7. His words are bright, but his actions are disappointing in many ways

8. What about talk about the disruptive things HYBE has done?

9. He's cool 

10. I agree that K-pop is a 360 package. Wow but RM is so good with words

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