"K-pop is like the bibimbap": the epic RM speech at APEC 2025 that moved the world

Hello to the entire community of Crazy about Korea! Today, the cultural industry South Korea has marked a milestone. For the first time in history, an artist of K-pop He has been a main speaker at the CEOs summit of APEC. And who else could be but the leader of BTS, , RM.

In a moment that is already history, Kim Nam-Joon went on stage Gyeongju Arts Center to give your history RM speech in APEC, and his message was clear: diversity, inclusion and support for creators are the future.

‘I will not talk about numbers, I will speak to them as a creator’

the speech of RM He began with the humility that characterizes him, acknowledging that the ‘cultural industry‘was chosen as’Key Agenda‘of APEC for the first time.

‘I am not a business leader. I don’t think they want to hear numbers or figures from me‘ said RM.So today I want to talk to you as a creator and an artist. I want to share my thoughts on how K-pop crossed borders to move people’s hearts‘.

Immediately after, Nam-Joon He took a moment to the people who took him there, showing his most personal and human side:

‘I am a very lucky person. I am lucky to have met the other six members of BTS. I am lucky to have met our producer, Hitman Bang, who gave us all his support… but, above all, I am lucky to have met ARMY, who accept our music not only as an entertainment, but as our shared language of life’.

Remembering the beginnings of BTS, , RM He reflected on how his music was quickly cataloged as ‘foreign culture, not English‘And how that first phase was’A test to see if the music in Korean could work on the global stage‘.

‘We tried to go out on television to show the world our music, but the doors were closed and they didn’t move‘, he confessed. However, he added that ‘We overcome those barriers, and now I’m here today sharing this precious moment with you‘, attributing to the fandom, ARMY, as the crucial pillar for the rise of BTS with the following words.

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‘ARMY It was the force that broke those barriers. They used our music as a means to engage in conversations that transcend borders and languages. They were inspired by the message of the music of BTS to donate to charitable organizations and carry out social campaigns. And finally, the world was amazed.’
‘Now, they are revolutionizing the world as a new community and a fandom culture… thanks to the pure power of cultural solidarity. A solidarity and tolerance that knows no borders.’

Why K-Pop? The ‘solidarity without borders’ and the analogy of bibimbap in the discourse of RM

RM In his speech he raised the question that all the business leaders in the room asked themselves: with so much cultural content in the world, ‘Why K-Pop? Why is it so unique? Why do you create this powerful and inclusive community?‘.

His answer was brilliant. compared the K-pop with the bibimbap, the traditional Korean mixed rice dish.

‘The pop is very similar. You take Korea’s unique aesthetics, emotions and production system. But you don’t reject elements of Western music, like hip-hop, R&B and EDM‘, he explained. ‘Like the Bibimbap, all these parts keep their unique identities, but they mix together to make something new, fresh and delicious.‘.

RM He emphasized that the success of the genre is not due to the fact that a single culture is superior to another.

‘The success of K-pop came from respecting diversity and embracing the cultures of the world, but still clinging to Korea’s unique identity‘, he said. It is this quality, he said, that inspired the ‘Solidarity without borders‘ from ARMY.

Also, in his speech, RM described the K-pop Not just as music, but as a ‘360-degree total package: music, dance, performance, visual style, storytelling, music video and even social networks‘.

The powerful request in RM’s speech to the APEC leaders: ‘Please help the creators’

the leader of BTS He did not use this historical platform just to talk about the past. He looked directly at the present political leaders and CEOs and made a formal request.

‘As a creator and artist of this generation, I would like to take this opportunity to make a request to the leaders and distinguished guests of APEC‘, he said RM firmly.

‘There are creators all over the world. Please help them. Give them the financial support so that their own creativity can flourish. Give them the opportunities so that their talents can really shine‘.

RM He connected his request directly with the aim of the summit, stating that culture is the key for future generations.

‘Culture is like a river. It flows freely… it is a powerful force that moves hearts. They are the fastest messengers that carry diversity and resonance. As APEC leaders, your policies and support will be the canvas and playground for all creators‘.

A peak moment for Hybe and K-pop

The RM speech in APEC It is not an isolated event. Demonstrates the incredible global influence of K-pop.

in fact, Hybe, the parent company of the agency BTS (Bighit Music), is the only entertainment company among the official sponsors of the APEC Summit, participating as ‘Diamond Sponsor‘, the highest possible level. Hybe has even launched a promotional stand at the event, showing its global business network and the achievements of its artists.

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RM He closed his speech aligning himself with the vision of APEC of ‘Promote diversity, inclusion and growth through culture and creativity‘.

What pride this man gives me! see to Nam-Joon Going from fighting for a space on Korean TV to giving a lecture on global culture in front of world leaders is simply legendary. Let’s leave our pride ARMY in the comments!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): The context of the MRI speech

To understand why see Kim Nam-Joon In this scenario it is a historic milestone, here we answer the key questions.

1. What is APEC and why is it so important?

APEC are the acronym of ‘Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’ (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation). It is not a treaty like the European Union, but a Intergovernmental Forum high level.

Who participate? The 21 most important economies in the Pacific Basin, including the United States, China, Japan, Russia, Canada, Australia and, of course, South Korea.
What is its importance? It is a massive event. The ‘Leaders Summit’ brings together presidents and prime ministers (such as Joe Biden or Xi Jinping!), but the ‘CEOS Summit’ (where RM spoke) is the most influential business forum in the region, where owners and directors of the world’s largest companies discuss economy, trade and global trends.

That K-pop (and RM as its representative) has a space as a main speaker here, shows that culture has been officially recognized as a global economic pillar, not only as entertainment.

2. Is this the first time that RM has given such an important speech?

No, and that’s the impressive thing. RM It has become the voice of his generation on the most important scenarios in the world. His most famous speeches (before APEC) include:

UN General Assembly (2018): the most legendary. at the launch of the campaign ‘Love Myself‘With UNICEF, , RM (Then 24 years old) gave a 6-minute speech in English that went viral, focused on self-love and its iconic phrase: ‘No matter who you are, where you are from… Speak yourself (Speak Yourself)’.
UN General Assembly (2020 and 2021): They returned two more times! On 2020 It was virtual (because of the pandemic, with the message ‘Life Goes On‘) and in 2021, like ‘Special Presidential Envoys‘of South Korea, talked about youth, ‘welcome generation’ (rather than ‘lost generation’) and vaccination.
The White House (May 2022): BTS was invited to Washington D.C. to meet with the president Joe Biden and speak in the official press room of the White House about him Anti-Asian Hate Fight (Stop Asian Hate).

3. Why is it said that RM is a ‘patron of art’?

In addition to music, the great passion of RM is the visual art. He is an avid collector and visitor of museums (an activity that ARMY baptized as ‘Namjooning’).

But it goes further: it is a patron (Sponsor) Active Korean art. On 2020, for his birthday, donated 100 million won (about 75,000 USD) National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art from Korea (MMCA). This money was used to restore and print hard-to-find art books and distribute them to over 400 public libraries and schools across the country.

4. What are the greatest achievements (in numbers) of BTS globally?

There are so many that it is difficult to summarize! But here are some facts that show its impact:

Billboard records: They are the first and only group of K-pop to debut in #1 of the Billboard Hot 100 ranking (With ‘Dynamite’ in 2020). They have a total of 6 songs #1 In that chart (a milestone for any group of this century).
Guinness Records: They have multiple Guinness World Records, including ‘Group Most Played on Spotify’ and ‘Music Video on YouTube in 24 Hours’ (with ‘Butter’).
Stadium sales: They are one of the few acts in the world capable of exhausting complete stadiums in minutes, such as the Wembley Stadium on London (90,000 seats) or the Sofi Stadium in the Angels (4 nights in a row).
AWARDS: They are the most awarded artists in the history of Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) for a group and have been nominated for Grammy Awards on multiple occasions.

5. What are the solo jobs of RM?

As a solo artist, RM He is critically acclaimed for his introspective lyrics and his musical experimentation. His two official studio albums are:

Indigo (2022): His first official studio album. It was a critical and commercial success that debuted in the #3 of the Billboard 200 ranking, the highest position for a Korean soloist at the time.
Right Place, Wrong Person (2024): Released while in the army, this alternative hip-hop album was also acclaimed and debuted in the #5 of the billboard 200.

6. Why was Hybe APEC’s ‘Diamond Sponsor’?

As the article mentioned, Hybe (The parent company of BTS) was the only entertainment sponsor of the summit, and at the highest level (‘diamond’). This is no coincidence. It is a strategic statement of Hybe to position itself not only as a ‘K-pop agency‘, but as a Global power of technology and lifestyle Along with the largest multinational corporations in the world. use A RM As the main speaker was the way to demonstrate your most valuable asset: the Soft Power (soft power) cultural.

7. What is the real name of RM and what does your nickname mean?

The real name of the BTS leader is Kim Nam-Joon (김남준). his current stage name, RM, adopted it in 2017. He explained that it means many things, but mainly ‘REAL ME’ (My true self), reflecting his growth as an artist and person. (Previously, from 2013 to 2017, his stage name was ‘Rap Monster‘, which he decided to leave behind).