RM, the leader and rapper of the global K-pop phenomenon BTS, is set to make history as the first K-pop artist ever to deliver a keynote address at the prestigious APEC CEO Summit. The 31-year-old artist will speak at the high-profile business gathering that runs alongside the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit being held in South Korea, according to music industry sources who confirmed the news on Monday.
The groundbreaking presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, which marks the second day of the summit taking place in Gyeongju, a historic city located 275 kilometers southeast of Seoul. RM's 10-minute afternoon speech will center on "the cultural creative industry in the APEC region and K-culture's soft power," positioning him as a cultural ambassador discussing Korea's rising global influence through entertainment.
While specific details of his presentation remain under wraps, industry insiders expect RM to draw extensively from his firsthand experience leading BTS, the group that has spearheaded the worldwide K-pop phenomenon and broken numerous international barriers. The artist, who is known for his fluency in English, will deliver his remarks in English to the international audience of government leaders and top business executives from the 21 APEC member economies.
This historic moment comes as the APEC CEO Summit brings together heads of state and corporate leaders to explore major economic trends under this year's theme "Beyond, Business, Bridge." RM's inclusion as a speaker underscores the growing recognition of cultural industries as significant economic drivers and soft power tools in international relations.
Adding further significance to Korean entertainment's presence at the summit, Hybe Corporation, the parent company of BTS's agency BigHit Music, has joined as a Diamond Sponsor, representing the event's highest level of corporate backing. Notably, Hybe stands as the only entertainment company among the summit's official corporate sponsors, highlighting the entertainment industry's elevated status in international business circles.
Hybe will maintain a prominent presence throughout the summit by operating a promotional booth at the Gyeongju Arts Center, which serves as the main venue for the gathering. The company plans to showcase its expansive global business network, which spans across the United States, Japan, China, Latin America, and India, demonstrating the international reach of Korean entertainment companies.
The entertainment giant will also use this platform to highlight the remarkable achievements of its roster of artists while displaying official light sticks, which have become iconic symbols of K-pop fandom culture worldwide. This display will offer international business leaders and government officials a tangible glimpse into the cultural phenomena that have captured global audiences and generated substantial economic impact across multiple markets.
