BTS' RM Advocates for Creator Support at APEC CEO Summit, Explains K-Pop's Global Success
BTS' RM (31, born Kim Nam-joon) addressed leaders at the APEC CEO Summit, outlining the reasons behind K-pop's global success and urging support for creators. RM likened K-pop to 'bibimbap,' explaining that its embrace of diversity is key to its success. He also candidly shared past experiences, including being asked, "Are you from North Korea or South Korea?"
Keynote Speech at the APEC CEO Summit Cultural Session in Gyeongju on the 29th.
RM delivered a keynote speech at the APEC CEO Summit Cultural Session held at the Gyeongju Arts Center in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, on the afternoon of the 29th.
RM's keynote speech was themed 'Cultural Creative Industries in the APEC Region and the Soft Power of K-Culture.' The APEC CEO Summit is an important event that brings together CEOs from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and RM's remarks on the cultural industry at this venue hold significant meaning.
"For the First Time This Year, the Cultural Industry is a Core Agenda Item at APEC."
RM began his speech by saying:
"As a creator, I feel a deep sense of pride and anticipation that the 'cultural industry' has been elevated to a core agenda item at APEC for the first time this year."
The fact that the cultural industry is being addressed as a core agenda item for economic cooperation is evidence that the economic and social value of culture is being recognized. RM's remarks reflected his pride as a creator.
"I'm a Very Lucky Person": Gratitude to Members, Producer, and ARMY
RM humbly spoke about his keys to success:
"I'm a very lucky person. I met the six BTS members, and I met producer Bang Si-hyuk, who spares no effort in providing full support so that I can focus on the music I want to make. And thanks to ARMY around the world, who accept our music not as mere entertainment but as a language of life."
RM attributed BTS's success to 'luck' and the support of those around him rather than his own abilities. He expressed his gratitude to the members, producer Bang Si-hyuk, who provided unwavering support, and, above all, to ARMY, their global fanbase.
"ARMY Opened Up a Completely New Path"
His gratitude towards ARMY continued:
"ARMY's borderless support and passion have opened up a completely new path for me. Thanks to them, I have been able to speak at symbolic venues such as the UN General Assembly, the White House, and today, this APEC stage, as well as global award ceremonies such as the Billboard Music Awards and the Grammy Awards."
RM stated that thanks to the support of his fans, he has been able to speak not only at music award ceremonies but also at international venues such as the UN General Assembly, the White House, and APEC. He has taken on the role of a cultural diplomat, going beyond being a mere entertainer.
"I Couldn't Have Imagined Today's Glory a Decade Ago"
RM reflected on the past:
"Even when BTS first entered the overseas market a decade ago, I couldn't have dared to imagine today's glory."
This was a confession that when BTS first ventured overseas, they could not have imagined the global success they have achieved today.
"How Difficult It Is to Listen to Korean Songs in English-Speaking Countries"
RM spoke about the language barrier:
"Have you ever heard a song in a language other than your native language or English on TV or radio in your respective homes? I have personally experienced how difficult it is to listen to songs made in Korean in English-speaking regions, and how high the cultural barriers are."
He shared his direct experience of how difficult it is for songs in languages other than English to enter the English-speaking market. The expression 'experiencing the cultural barriers firsthand' conveys the difficulties of that time.
"North Korea? South Korea?" Shocking Questions
He also revealed more shocking experiences:
"But there were even greater difficulties. When we were introduced as 'Korean artists,' we would often receive unexpected questions unrelated to music. 'Are you from North Korea or South Korea?' 'Where is Korea located?' These were the questions we were asked the most at the time. It was a truly harsh reality where we had to explain the location of Korea before even discussing our music."
He shared that when introduced as Korean artists, they received questions such as, "Are you from North Korea or South Korea?" and "Where is Korea located?" rather than questions about their music. He confessed to the harsh reality of having to explain the location of Korea before even talking about their music.
"But ARMY Broke Down the Barriers"
However, RM continued with a message of hope:
"But today, I am meeting you here, having overcome those barriers. The core driving force behind breaking down these huge barriers was ARMY. They use our music as a medium to communicate beyond borders and languages."
He emphasized that it was the fans, ARMY, who broke down the high and thick barriers. Communication beyond borders and languages was possible through music.
K-Pop is 'Bibimbap': "Embracing Diversity is the Key to Success"
RM explained the secret to K-pop's success with a unique analogy:
"I compare K-pop music to the Korean traditional dish 'bibimbap.' It's called 'bibimbap' because you 'mix' all the ingredients, which include rice, various vegetables, meat, and seasonings."
Comparing the Korean traditional dish bibimbap to K-pop was a very appropriate and easy-to-understand explanation.
"Embracing Western Music While Fusing Korean Aesthetics"
Continuing the analogy, he explained the characteristics of K-pop:
"K-pop is the same. K-pop does not reject and embraces Western musical elements such as hip-hop, R&B, and EDM, while fusing Korean aesthetics, emotions, and production systems."
Just as bibimbap creates a new flavor by mixing various ingredients, K-pop combines various Western music genres while incorporating Korean emotions and systems.
"The Key is Respecting Diversity, Not Cultural Superiority"
RM pointed out the essence of K-pop's success:
"K-pop's success does not come from the superiority of a particular culture. It is because it respects diversity and broadly embraces the world's cultures while maintaining its unique Korean identity."
It is a humble yet clear analysis that success was possible not because any culture is superior, but because it maintained its own identity while respecting and embracing other cultures.
Requests APEC Leaders to Support Creators
RM delivered the core message of his speech:
"We are all people who love culture and art, and are connected through its emotions and resonance. As a creator and artist of this era, I would like to take this opportunity to ask the APEC leaders. Please provide economic support that allows creators around the world to blossom their creativity, and create opportunities to showcase their talents."
RM requested APEC leaders to provide economic support and opportunities for creators. Based on his own experiences, he accurately identified what creators need.
"Investing in Future Generations is Essential from a Cultural Perspective as Well"
RM emphasized the importance of cultural investment:
"Investment in future generations must be addressed not only from an economic perspective but also from a cultural perspective. This is because culture and art are powerful drivers that move hearts, and are the easiest and fastest medium to convey diversity and inclusion."
He emphasized that culture and art go beyond simple economic value and are important means of conveying diversity and inclusion.
"Will Convey Courage, Hope, and Inclusion Through Music"
Finally, RM concluded his speech with a pledge:
"I support APEC's vision of leading inclusion and growth through culture and creativity. As an artist, I promise to contribute by playing freely on the wider stage you will open up, and by conveying the values of courage, hope, and inclusion through music."
He concluded his speech by requesting support from leaders while also promising to spread positive values through music as an artist.
RM as a Global Cultural Leader
This APEC speech shows that RM has established himself as a global cultural leader, going beyond being a simple K-pop idol.
RM is making his voice heard at the UN General Assembly, the White House, and now the APEC stage. His message goes beyond his own success story and is about improving the environment for creators around the world and the value of culture.
Humility and Insight
What is impressive in RM's speech is the harmony of humility and insight.
While expressing his success as 'luck,' he clearly analyzed the essence of K-pop's success as 'embracing diversity.' While honestly sharing past difficulties, he attributed the driving force behind overcoming them to his fans.
The Excellence of the Bibimbap Analogy
Comparing K-pop to bibimbap was a very excellent explanation.
It was an analogy that was easy for foreigners to understand and accurately expressed the essence of K-pop, which is 'the fusion of diversity.' Explaining K-pop through Korea's unique food is also an example of showing the power of culture.
BTS RM's APEC speech was a moving message that once again reminded us of the power and value of culture!
Source :https://blog.naver.com/roadtowrestling/224058182972
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