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“No Borders, No Limitations”: BTS Rapper RM Makes History As First K-pop Artist To Address APEC CEO Summit

RM becomes first K-pop artist to speak at APEC Summit, comparing culture to a “river flowing freely” and K-pop to "bibimbap"

RM, the leader of global pop phenomenon BTS, has become the first K-pop artist to deliver a keynote address at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit — a stage typically reserved for world leaders and industry titans.

Taking place in Gyeongju on Oct. 29, the rapper, songwriter and cultural ambassador spoke during the summit’s second-day cultural session under the theme “Cultural and Creative Industries and the Soft Power of K-Culture in the APEC Region.”

“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,” said RM, 31, as he addressed an audience of policymakers and executives gathered for the region’s annual trade forum.

“When cultural barriers come down and different voices harmonise together, there’s an explosion of creative energy,” he continued. “This is why K-Pop is loved everywhere.”

RM went on to highlight the global influence of BTS’s fanbase, saying that the group’s ARMY — a legion of millions spanning continents — is “crossing borders and breaking down barriers through the pure power of cultural solidarity.”

The speech marked a symbolic moment for Korean soft power, as South Korea continues to leverage its cultural exports as a key driver of economic and diplomatic influence. RM compared culture to a “river flowing freely,” and likened K-pop itself to “bibimbap” — a traditional Korean dish that blends diverse ingredients into a single, harmonious whole.

The APEC CEO Summit, themed “Beyond, Business, Bridge,” brings together leaders from 21 member economies alongside global business figures to explore innovation, creative industries and the future of global trade. This year’s forum was also addressed by U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who later met for tariff discussions.

HYBE, the parent company of BTS’s label BigHit Music, participated as an official sponsor, operating a promotional booth at the Gyeongju Arts Center to showcase its multi-label ecosystem and international reach — from the U.S. and Japan to Latin America and India. The booth also paid tribute to fan-driven K-pop culture, symbolised by the light stick that has become a fixture at concerts worldwide.

Now reunited following the completion of their mandatory military service, all seven members of BTS are preparing for their highly anticipated comeback — a new album in 2026 followed by a world tour.

Reflecting on the role of culture as both an economic and emotional bridge, RM closed with a message that resonated beyond the summit’s business agenda: “K-Pop’s shiny success is proof that cultural diversity and creativity are the greatest human potential. Of course, no borders, no limitations.”