APEC 2025: Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper

BTS RM "K팝 성공의 비결, 정체성 지키며 다양한 문화 포용"

 

BTS' RM speaks at APEC CEO Summit. Image: X/@BTSDailyCharts

 

BTS(방탄소년단)의 리더 RM(김남준, 31)이 10월 29일 경주 예술의전당에서 열린 아시아태평양경제협력체(APEC, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) 정상회의의 기조연설자 나서 K-Pop의 경쟁력을 비빔밥 정신에 비유했다. 

 

그는 "K-Pop은 힙합, R&B, EDM 등 서양음악의 요소를 거부하지 않고 수용하는 동시에 한국만의 고유한 미학, 정서, 그리고 제작시스템과 융합합니다. 비빔밥처럼 이질적인 요소들은 각자의 정체성을 유지하면서도 서로 융합되어 신선한 결과물을 만들어냅니다"라고 말했다. 

 

또한, K-Pop은 단순한 음악 장르를 너머 음악, 춤, 퍼포먼스, 비주얼 스타일, 뮤직비디오, 스토리텔링 콘텐츠, 소셜미디어까지 아우르는 360도 토털 패키지로 K-Pop의 성공 스토리가 '특정문화의 우월성 때문이 아니라 한국의 고유한 정체성을 지키면서 다양성을 존중하고 세계 문화를 폭넓게 포용하는데서 비롯됐다고 강조했다. 그리고, 문화적 경계가 허물어지고, 다양한 목소리가 조화롭게 어우러질 때 창의적인 에너지가 폭발한다고 말했다. 

 

마지막으로 RM은 "APEC 리더 여러분께 창작자들이 창의력을 마음껏 발휘하고, 세상과 깊이 공감할 수 있도록 든든한 후원자가 되어 주시기를 부탁드립니다"라고 연설을 맺었다. 

 

RM의 연설 후 객석에선 환호성과 기립박수가 터져나왔다. RM이 국제기구 무대에 선 것은 2018, 2020, 2021년 미 UN 본부에 이어 네번째다. 

 

2025 APEC은 10월 31일부터 11월 2일까지 경주에서 '지속 가능한 내일의 건설: 연결, 혁신, 번영(Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper)'을 주제로 열리며, 21개국 정상이 참가한다. 

 

다음은 RM의 연설 전문이다. 

 

 

"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. 

 

 

#1 The Spirit of Bibimbap from "33 Keys to Understanding the Korean Culture: Beyond BTS, Parasite and Squid Game'.

 

- 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."

BTS Updates, News & Charts @_BTSMoments_

 

 

33 Keys to Understanding the Korean Wave:

Beyond BTS, Parasite and Squid Game

 

 

#1 The Spirit of Bibimbap

The secret of K-Wave's success, including K-Pop, "Parasite", "Squid Game",  Ik-Joong Kang (artist), Young Jean Lee (the first Asian female playwright in Broadway), Unsuk Chin (composer), Jennifer Koh (violinist) and David Chang (chef), probably originated from the blending of Korean bibimbap. Koreans are good at genre bending. Nam June Paik, "The Pioneer of Video Art," praised Korea's bibimbap spirit a long time ago. 

https://www.nyculturebeat.com/?mid=Focus&document_srl=4165053

 

 

'33 Keys to Understanding the Korean Wave: 

Beyond BTS, Parasite and Squid Game' by Sukie Park

https://youtu.be/29auuZ2a_Ig?si=0F_jI6VeswC5v00U

 

 

 

*'KPop Demon Hunters' and the Spirit of Bibimbap