BTS' RM reveals secret behind K-pop's global impact in historic speech

RM, whose real name is Kim Nam-joon, represented K-pop on one of the world’s prestigious stages.

The BTS leader made history as he became the first K-pop artist to deliver a keynote address at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in Gyeongju.

On Wednesday, October 29, the South Korean rapper and songwriter took the stage, typically reserved for world leaders and industry titans, on the second day of the summit.

"I am just an artist. I am not a business leader, so today, I want to speak to you as a creator and an artist," he said during the cultural session under the theme "Cultural and Creative Industries and the Soft Power of K-Culture in the APEC Region."

"When cultural barriers come down and different voices harmonise together, there’s an explosion of creative energy," the Dynamite singer continued, referring to the secret behind the global admiration and popularity of K-pop. "This is why K-Pop is loved everywhere."

While speaking to a crowd of policymakers and executives at the region’s annual trade forum, the 31-year-old artist cited ARMY, BTS’s global fanbase, as an example of "crossing borders and breaking down barriers through the pure power of cultural solidarity."

RM’s speech highlighted the global power of Korean culture. He compared the culture to "a river flowing freely" and K-pop to "bibimbap," showing how the genre mixes diverse influences into one harmonious, worldwide phenomenon.

Bibimbap is a traditional Korean dish that blends diverse ingredients into a single, flavourful dish.

It is pertinent to note that HYBE, the parent company of BTS’s record label BigHit Music, participated as an official sponsor, hosting a promotional booth that celebrated fan-driven K-pop culture, including the iconic light stick that has become a staple at concerts worldwide.