RM Highlights K-Pop's Power and Inclusivity at APEC
RM, the leader of the group BTS, has garnered significant attention as the first K-pop artist to deliver a speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit. Held at the Gyeongju Arts Center, the event provided a platform for RM to deliver a keynote speech on 'Cultural Creative Industries in the APEC Region and the Soft Power of K-Culture,' shedding light on K-pop's global influence. Through his speech, RM emphasized K-pop's 'borderless inclusivity' and 'powerful solidarity,' sharing insights into how K-pop has become a global phenomenon beyond just a music genre. RM's APEC CEO Summit speech is regarded as a crucial moment for K-pop's soft power and cultural value to be recognized on the international stage, suggesting the potential for K-pop to further expand in the global cultural market. RM analyzed the success factors of K-pop and delivered profound messages about how culture and economy can interact.
RM likened K-pop to 'bibimbap,' a representative Korean dish, to explain its originality and inclusivity. K-pop has successfully integrated various Western musical elements such as hip-hop, R&B, and EDM without resistance, while also incorporating Korea's unique aesthetics, emotions, and original production systems. This fusion allows different elements to harmonize without losing their unique identities, creating entirely new results. RM defined K-pop as a 360-degree total package encompassing music, dance, performance, visual style, music videos, storytelling, and social media, illustrating K-pop's comprehensive appeal. This demonstrates that K-pop has established itself as a massive cultural phenomenon beyond a simple trend, indicating K-pop's continuous innovation and development. K-pop's fusion characteristics contribute to strengthening its unique position in international cultural exchange.
RM clarified that K-pop's global success does not stem from the superiority of a particular culture. Rather, it is possible because it maintains Korea's unique identity while respecting diversity and broadly embracing various cultures from around the world. RM argued that when cultural boundaries are broken down and diverse voices harmonize, creative energy explodes, demonstrating that K-pop's open and inclusive attitude is a core driver of global success. RM explained the process of K-pop growing by embracing various cultures, showcasing how cultural diversity and respect for it can create significant synergy in modern society. K-pop's success strategy provides important implications for other cultural industries and contributes to enhancing competitiveness in the global market. K-pop's spirit of respecting diversity will continue to be the foundation for sustained growth.
RM candidly shared his direct experiences as a K-pop industry insider and creator to explain why K-pop has gained global love. He recalled the difficulties of BTS's music being categorized as 'non-English speaking culture' and feeling like their entry into mainstream broadcasting platforms was a 'test of whether Korean music could succeed on the global stage.' He mentioned the 'cold reality' of receiving questions about the country rather than the music, despite efforts to promote the music through street performances and distributing flyers. However, these difficulties were overcome by 'ARMY' (the fandom name). Fans continued communication beyond borders and languages through BTS's music and surprised the world by conducting voluntary donations and social campaigns inspired by the messages in the music. RM emphasized that 'ARMY,' who were considered 'supporters of Asian minority culture,' gave a fresh shock to the global cultural market as a new community and fandom culture, and are exerting a positive influence beyond borders with the power of pure cultural solidarity. These voluntary movements of the fandom show that K-pop's success extends to creating social value.
RM revealed his profound thoughts on culture. He defined culture as something that flows without obstruction, is delivered somewhere, and sometimes harmoniously merges to create new values like K-pop. RM hoped that this creative flow of culture would continue around the world, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, which has the most dynamic cultural diversity. This demonstrates that culture is not fixed but is a constantly changing, interacting, and evolving organism. RM appealed to APEC leaders to create opportunities for creators around the world to flourish their creativity by providing economic support and opportunities to showcase their talents. He emphasized that culture and art are the most powerful drivers of moving hearts and the easiest and fastest medium for conveying diversity and inclusivity, stressing the importance of fostering the cultural industry. RM's remarks suggest that culture is an important resource that can contribute not only to simple entertainment but also to social integration and economic development. It is expected to contribute to raising awareness of the potential of the cultural creative industry based on the success story of K-pop.
RM's APEC CEO Summit speech can be assessed as a historic moment that elevated K-pop's status. It is significant in that it clearly conveyed the soft power of K-pop's cultural inclusivity, respect for diversity, and strong solidarity with the fandom to international leaders, beyond the success of popular music. In particular, comparing K-pop to 'bibimbap' and explaining the aesthetics of fusion that embraces Western cultural elements while maintaining Korea's unique identity effectively highlighted K-pop's originality. He honestly shared the difficulties he experienced as a 'non-English speaking culture' and specifically mentioned how the voluntary participation and solidarity of the fandom 'ARMY' created global influence, showing the positive aspects and power of the K-pop fandom culture. RM's speech would have reminded APEC leaders that culture and art are powerful tools for promoting diversity and inclusivity as well as economic development. This is expected to have a positive impact on expanding investment and support for the cultural creative industry in the future. It is hoped that K-pop's success story will inspire various cultures in the Asia-Pacific region to interact, converge, and create new values.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/newscake/224058059599
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