BTS RM makes history as first K-pop idol to address APEC CEO summit, thanks ARMY in emotional speech

BTS RM makes history as first K-pop idol to address APEC CEO summit, thanks ARMY in emotional speech

BTS leader Kim Namjoon, widely known as RM, has achieved yet another milestone by becoming the first K-pop idol ever to address the APEC CEO Summit. The annual global business forum gathers world leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators from the Asia-Pacific region, making RM’s inclusion a symbolic and cultural breakthrough for South Korea and the global music industry.

Standing before a room full of executives and policymakers, RM delivered a moving and introspective speech about the power of art and connection.

He spoke of music as a universal bridge, saying, “It’s not something we can really calculate or measure. It’s a bridge that connects worlds.” His words captured the essence of what BTS has come to represent—unity across languages, cultures, and generations.

Throughout his address, RM’s gratitude toward the BTS fandom, ARMY, was clear and heartfelt. “Army’s support and passion crossed all borders and opened up like a brand new path for me,” he said. “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.”

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He also took a moment to reflect on BTS’ early years and the challenges they faced when trying to make their mark outside South Korea. “When we said we are artists from Korea, they did not ask us about our music,” RM recalled. “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 our music, and that was the reality.”

RM’s speech was met with a standing ovation, a testament to how far both he and BTS have come since their humble beginnings. His words not only honored ARMYs around the world but also emphasized how cultural exports like K-pop can foster dialogue and empathy on the world stage.