RM of BTS Delivers Powerful Speech on the Future of K-Culture at APEC 2025

RM of BTS gave a historic speech at APEC.
He called K-pop a connecting bridge.
The speech received both praise and criticism.

In a move that underscores the growing recognition of culture as a serious economic driver, BTS leader RM (Kim Namjoon) delivered a powerful keynote speech at the APEC CEO Summit 2025 in Seoul. This wasn't just another celebrity appearance; it was a historic moment.

The cultural session, titled “Cultural and Creative Industries in the APEC Region and the Soft Power of K-Culture,” marked the first time the creative industry was placed on the official agenda for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, and RM was the very first K-Pop artist ever invited to address the prestigious gathering of global leaders and business titans. Stepping onto the stage at the Gyeongju Arts Center, he wasn't just representing himself or his band, but an entire cultural ecosystem that has reshaped the global entertainment landscape.

RM's Speech Recap at APEC 2025

RM began his speech with characteristic humility, expressing pride in representing his home country of South Korea. He framed his perspective not just as a global superstar, but fundamentally as a "creator and an artist."

He immediately delved into the heart of his message, defining K-pop's unique power.

“It’s not something we can really calculate or measure. It’s a bridge that connects worlds,” he stated, setting the tone for a talk about unity and shared humanity.

Then, RM didn't shy away from reflecting on the arduous journey, recalling a time just a decade ago when BTS faced immense cultural barriers.

“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,” RM shared, highlighting the stark contrast between then and now.

To illustrate K-Pop's unique, hybrid nature, he used a brilliant and relatable analogy which is the traditional Korean dish, bibimbap.

“You take Korea’s unique aesthetics, emotions and production systems but you don’t turn away elements of western music like hip-hop, R&B or EDM. Just like bibimbap, these parts all keep their unique identities but mix together to make something new, and fresh and delightful," he explained.

RM further expanded the definition of the genre, calling it “a 360 degree total package of music, dance, performance, visual style, story-telling, music video and even social media,” whose success stemmed from “respecting diversity” and collaboration, not from the dominance of one culture over another.

A Speech of Unity Meets a Divided Online Response

Unsurprisingly, the global BTS ARMY was swift to erupt with pride, flooding social media with messages of admiration. ARMY celebrated the immense prestige of the platform, seeing it as a deserved recognition of RM's intellect, eloquence, and the cultural impact of BTS.

"after speaking at the white house, met museum, unicef, united nations general assembly, & being a public relation ambassador for the ministry of national defense, now on the 29th, RM will be speaking at the APEC CEO summit. he’s truly on a completely new level now. I am proud."

"The fact this pic is truly the epitome of how Namjoon is the father of kpop, how thanks to his revolutionary ideas, he changed the kpop industry!"

"history maker rm!"

"Thanks RM, the leader of K-pop for paving the way."

The sentiment was overwhelmingly one of validation, seeing the invitation as a long-overdue acknowledgment of culture as a serious pillar of soft power and global economics, with their leader as its perfect ambassador.

However, the speech also ignited a wave of criticism, creating a clear divide online. The primary contention stemmed from RM's statement in APEC.

"RM made it sound like no one knew Korea when they debut. the disrespect for Korean artists who introduced the world to kpop like Wonder Girls and Psy."

"All this talk but can’t speak up for his juniors who r fighting for their rights as an artists!! And an investor of an ai company too may I add."

"RM asking leaders for help while sitting on BTS money."

"a reminder they paid $800,000 usd to show up."

"You have no legitimacy since the W Korea incident where you danced at a cancer gala and are now an investor in an AI company that creates paintings of art, which will replace artists."

This backlash highlighted the ongoing tension between traditional metrics of global influence and the rising, yet sometimes questioned, power of pop culture in high-level diplomatic and economic discussions.

In conclusion, RM's appearance at APEC 2025 was far more than a simple speech; it was a cultural event in itself. It successfully placed the creative industries squarely on the map of global economic discourse, using the undeniable success of K-Pop as its case study. While the online debate over the appropriateness and specific wording of his message reveals the complexities of navigating such prestigious platforms, the core of his speech, emphasizing connection, diversity, and the economic power of culture, resonated deeply.

By sharing his personal journey and the story of his genre, RM from BTS effectively built his own "bridge," challenging world leaders to invest in the creative fields that, as he proved, are already moving the world.

You can watch RM's full speech here:

Source: The Strait Times, Koreaboo, The Hindustan Times, Chosun, X (formerly Twitter)