BTS’ RM Delivers Keynote At APEC CEO Summit Korea 2025
The BTS leader became the first K-pop artist to speak at the summit.
BANG SI-HYUK, RM: Courtesy of HYBE
BANG SI-HYUK, RM: Courtesy of HYBE
RM of BTS delivered a historic keynote speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
The summit, an official side event of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, welcomed RM’s participation at the Gyeongju Arts Center, where he gave a 10-minute presentation on the theme “Cultural and Creative Industries in the APEC Region and the Soft Power of K-Culture.”
RM drew from his experiences as the South Korean boy band’s leader, his insights on Korean culture, and its global impact and significance. Coming from a creator and artist’s perspective, RM urged world leaders to offer financial support for creativity to bloom. “Give them the opportunities so that their talent can really shine,” he said.
The K-pop idol made history as the first K-pop artist to appear as a speaker at the summit. However, this was not the first time RM addressed a global audience. In 2018, he delivered a speech at the UNICEF Youth Agenda at the United Nations General Assembly held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
He arrived at the venue with HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, with HYBE, which is BTS’ label Big Hit Music‘s parent company, participating as a diamond sponsor, which is the summit’s highest sponsorship tier, and was the only entertainment company.
The APEC CEO Summit Korea 2025, organized by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is the largest business forum in the Asia-Pacific region, bringing together 1,700 global corporate leaders and heads of state from 21 member economies.
This summit featured 20 sessions, special addresses, and leaders’ speeches by 85 speakers — covering global issues such as artificial intelligence, finance, and cultural industries.
