Galaxy Corp., the agency behind K-pop star G-Dragon, is celebrating a major milestone after receiving a presidential citation for its role in supporting the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.
The recognition reflects how deeply Korean pop culture has become intertwined with global diplomacy and national branding
The company confirmed that the citation was officially presented on January 2 “in acknowledgment of Galaxy Corp.'s notable contribution to national development.”
The honour follows months of high-profile involvement by the agency in shaping the cultural side of the international summit, which brought world leaders to South Korea.
In the lead-up to the event, G-Dragon was named the official ambassador for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, a move that signalled the growing importance of cultural figures in diplomatic spaces.
His performance at the welcoming dinner for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on October 31, 2025, became one of the summit’s defining moments, blending music, technology and soft power on a global stage.
The livestream of the dinner quickly went viral. Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren Stork and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney were spotted recording the performance on their phones, clearly impressed.
At the same time, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping were seen watching the show together, a moment that resonated strongly online and highlighted music’s ability to cut across political boundaries.
Galaxy Corp. noted that it was the only company from the entertainment technology sector to sponsor the summit, underlining its unique position in representing Korean creative industries at an international level.
Beyond the agency’s recognition, G-Dragon himself has also been honoured. On October 23, he received the Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit, becoming the youngest recipient in history for his role in promoting K-pop and Korean culture around the world.
Reflecting on the achievement, Galaxy Corp. said, “We were honored to contribute to the global stature of Korean culture and support Korea's influence on the world stage by actively participating in the APEC summit.” The agency added, “This was more than participation — but served as a meaningful opportunity to showcase the power of Korean content.”
Now recognised as a unicorn startup valued at over 1 trillion won ($677 million), Galaxy Corp. continues to expand its influence beyond entertainment. Representatives from the company recently accompanied the South Korean president on his official visit to China from January 4 to 7.
Looking ahead, the agency has expressed hopes to “continue to play a pivotal role in bridging nations through AI-powered entertainment and cultural diplomacy,” positioning Korean culture as a lasting global connector.
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