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Nowadays, BTS is the biggest boy band on the planet, K-pop or otherwise. But not too long ago, the genre was seen as niche in the Western world, a mindset that group leader RM credits ARMY with changing.

At this year’s APEC CEO Summit in South Korea — which gathers some of the most influential executives and economic leaders across Asia to discuss the future of business and innovation — RM delivered the keynote address and called on those in power to invest in artistic endeavors. “I’m not sure how familiar you are with K-culture or K-pop,” he told the crowd in Gyeongju-si on Wednesday (Oct. 29).

“But I’m sure you all agree that the cultural industry has great economic value and growth potential,” the performer continued. “As a creator and an artist of this generation, I would like to use this opportunity to make a request … there are creators all around the world. Please help them. Give them the financial support so that their own creativity can bloom. Give them the opportunities so that their talents can really shine.”

The global star emphasized how when BTS started, the group was called a “foreign culture” and that their music felt like a test to see if K-pop could enter the “global stage.” People didn’t ask about their music, he added, but instead, wondered whether the group was from North or South Korea.

“But we overcame those barriers, and now I’m here today sharing this precious moment with you.ARMY was the force that broke down those barriers,” he declared. “They use our music as the medium to carry out conversations that cross borders and languages. They were inspired by the message in the music of BTS to give to charity, to run social campaigns. And finally, the world was amazed. Back then ARMY was seen as ‘supporters of a minority culture from Asia.’ Now, they shake the world as a new community and a fandom culture.”

Elsewhere in his speech, RM emphasized how fortunate he feels to have his fans and bandmates Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook in his life. “I’m a very lucky person,” he gushed. I’m lucky to have met the six other members of BTS … And most importantly, I’m lucky I met ARMY, who accept our music not just as a diversion, but as our shared language of life.”

According to a release, this year’s summit marked the first time cultural and creative industries have been treated as key agenda items by APEC. In a world where the arts are undervalued all too often, RM drew on his own success as part of BTS to show the investors at the event how lucrative it can be to back music and other artistic endeavors.

RM’s appearance at the event comes as BTS is gearing up to make a major comeback in 2026. After spending some time apart to fulfill their respective service requirements in the South Korean military — during which time many of the members dropped solo projects, with RM dropping his album Right Place, Wrong Person in May 2024 — the band reunited this past July and promised that a new full-length and tour were in the works.

The following month, RM shared his thoughts on the comeback in a letter to ARMY on Weverse. “Making something ‘together’ with these friends,” he wrote of his bandmates at the time. “I’m going to commit myself to this moment. I’m going to thank you … I’m looking for what I’ll become. Something I’ve forgotten for too long.”

Read RM’s full speech at the 2025 APEC CEO Summit below.

Hello. I’m RM, the leader of BTS.

It’s an honor to be here and to meet the leaders of APEC here in Korea, where I was born and raised. I’m honored to tell you about myself, and to share my message. I’m proud and excited that this year, for the first time, the “cultural industry” was chosen as a key agenda for APEC.

I’m not sure how familiar you are with K-culture or K-pop. But I’m sure you all agree that the cultural industry has great economic value and growth potential. But I’m just an artist. I’m not a business leader. I don’t think you want to hear any numbers or figures from me.

So, today I want to speak to you as a creator and an artist. I want to share my thoughts on how K-pop crossed borders to move the hearts of people. It’s not something we can calculate or measure. It’s a bridge that connects worlds, and I want to bring your attention to how we can work together to build this connection for tomorrow’s creative cultural ecosystem.

I’m a very lucky person. I’m lucky to have met the six other members of BTS. I’m lucky that I met our producer “Hitman” Bang, who gave us his full support that we could make the music we love. And most importantly, I’m lucky I met ARMY, who accept our music not just as a diversion, but as our shared language of life.

Oh, by the way, ARMY is the name of the official BTS fandom. Further information, the army is where I just finished my military service. I was there for 18 months. Just wanted to make sure.

ARMY’s support and passion crossed all borders and opened up brand new paths for me. They gave me a voice that was heard at the Billboard Music Awards, at the Grammys, at the United Nations and even at the White House. At such historic and symbolic events, like right here at the APEC.

BTS first started to go outside Korea about 10 years ago. Back then, we didn’t dream of what we see today. Nothing was like this. Did you ever turn on your TV or radio and hear a song that’s not in your language or English? Probably not very often. 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.

At that time, the music of BTS was quickly called “non-English, foreign culture.” Trying to get on mainstream media through our music was like doing an experiment and a huge challenge. It was a test to see if “music in Korean can work on the global stage.” We tried to get on TV to show the world our music, but the doors were closed and would not move.

But, as you know, we couldn’t just sit around and wait. We tried to make our own opportunities. we danced in the streets. We handed out flyers to free shows. But there was something even more difficult than those. When we said, “We are artists from Korea.” They didn’t ask us about our music. They asked, “Are you from North Korea or South Korea?” “Where on Earth is Korea?” So, we had to explain where Korea was before we could even talk about music. And that was reality.

But we overcame those barriers, and now I’m here today sharing this precious moment with you. ARMY was the force that broke down those barriers. They use our music as the medium to carry out conversations that cross borders and languages. They were inspired by the message in the music of BTS to give to charity, to run social campaigns. And finally, the world was amazed. Back then, ARMY was seen as “supporters of a minority culture from Asia.” Now, they shake the world as a new community and a fandom culture.

Even at this very moment, they are crossing borders and breaking down barriers through the pure power of cultural solidarity. Solidarity and tolerance that know no borders. And it’s an endless source of creative inspiration for me as well.

There is so much cultural content around the whole world. But why K-pop? Why is it so unique? Why does K-pop create this powerful and inclusive community?

It’s because of the special principle of unity of K-pop. This is what enables people from such diverse backgrounds to come together, just through the medium of K-pop.

I like to compare K-Pop music to bibimbap. Bibimbap is a traditional Korean dish. You have to taste it. You take “bap,” which is rice. Then you put all kinds of vegetables, meat and flavorings on top, and mix it all up. That’s the “bibim.”

K-pop is much the same. You take Korea’s unique aesthetics, emotions and production system. But you don’t turn away elements of Western music, like hip-hop, R&B and EDM. Just like bibimbap, these parts all keep their unique identities but mix together to make something new and fresh and delightful. K-pop is not just a genre of music. It’s a 360-degree, total package of music, dance, performance, visual style, story-telling, music video and even social media.

K-pop’s success didn’t happen because one single culture was better. K-pop’s success came from respecting diversity and embracing world cultures, but still holding onto Korea’s unique identity. When cultural barriers come down and different voices harmonize together, there’s an explosion of creative energy. This is where ARMY’s borderless solidarity came from. And this is why K-pop is loved everywhere.

Culture is like a river. It flows freely, different streams sometimes coming together in harmony, just like K-pop. Coming together to carry itself far away and create something new. I would like to see this creative flow of culture happen everywhere around the world. The Asia-Pacific region has incredible dynamic cultural diversity. K-pop’s shining success is proof that cultural diversity and creativity are the greatest human potential — a force with no borders, no limit to growth.

Ladies and gentlemen, leaders of APEC, let me ask you a question: What is your favorite song? Do you remember seeing a painting that took your breath away? A book you read over and over again? We all know, we all love culture and art. And we are connected by the emotion and resonance that they awaken in us.

As a creator and an artist of this generation, I would like to use this opportunity to make a request to the leaders and distinguished guests of APEC. There are creators all around the world. Please help them. Give them the financial support so that their own creativity can bloom. Give them the opportunities so that their talents can really shine. When you think about investing in tomorrow’s generations, think about culture as well as economics. Culture and art are a powerful force that moves hearts. They are the fastest messengers that carry diversity and resonance.

As the leaders of APEC, your policies and support will be the canvas and playground for all the creators. The foundation for creators all over the world to pour out their creativity. When creators flourish, other elements of culture gather to form some brand new aesthetics. Their content will go beyond all kinds of “differences.” They will blaze a road of true understanding and tolerance. They will create the power of solidarity for the future.

I, too, stand by the vision of APEC. A vision that will drive diversity, inclusion and growth through culture and creativity. As an artist, I promise that I will also let my imagination fill the canvas you will create. I will play my heart out in the playground you will build for us. I promise that I’ll do my part by sending a message of courage and hope and a lot of emotions through music. A message of embracing our differences to make something better together.

I would like to ask for your support for this future. I believe you can make this happen. Your support can make creators let their creativity soar. With your help, their creations will resonate around the whole world.

Thank you.

Want to see everything that BTS has said about its upcoming reunion? Click on the image below!

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