Imagine this: world leaders, CEOs, and diplomats all sitting in their perfectly pressed suits, waiting for a deep economic insight… and then, in walks Kim Namjoon — poet, leader, philosopher, and the man who accidentally taught half the planet the meaning of “soft power.”
It’s not a concert, but let’s be honest — it might as well be. Because the moment RM starts speaking, everyone’s about to experience what ARMYs already know: when Namjoon talks, you listen.
Yes, you heard that right. BTS’s RM will deliver a keynote speech at the APEC CEO Summit in Gyeongju — one of the most prestigious global forums for leaders and innovators across 21 economies. And for the first time in history, a K-pop artist will stand on that stage not to sing, but to lead a global conversation.
So, if you thought BTS had already done everything — from the UN to the White House to becoming literal ambassadors of youth — think again. Because apparently, “world domination” was just the prelude.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit isn’t exactly your casual networking event. It’s where presidents, prime ministers, and billionaire business moguls gather to discuss the future of trade, innovation, and technology. And this year, among all those global power players, one name stands out — RM of BTS.
Set to take place on Wednesday in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, RM’s appearance marks a historic first. No K-pop artist has ever been invited to speak at APEC. It’s the kind of record you don’t break with album sales or streaming numbers, but with credibility — the kind that takes years of leadership, intelligence, and cultural impact to earn.
RM will reportedly give his keynote in English, focusing on the APEC region’s culture industry and Korea’s unmatched soft power. (And by “Korea’s soft power,” let’s be real — he means BTS’s global impact. But he’s too humble to say it like that, so we’ll say it for him.)
Now, the timing of this couldn’t be more poetic. The world’s economy is evolving, the entertainment industry is shifting, and right at the center of it all stands RM — the same guy who once wrote songs in a small studio, now teaching international leaders how art and culture can literally move economies.
It’s a full-circle moment for someone who’s always been a student of life, literature, and humanity. RM isn’t just talking about numbers or exports — he’s talking about connection. About how music transcends borders, how culture opens dialogue, and how a group of seven young men from Korea changed how the world views Asian identity.
And yes, in case you missed it, there’s more.
Because while RM is preparing to take over an international summit, BTS is also getting ready to drop a new album this spring — their first as a complete group in years — and launch a world tour with 65 performances across the globe.
You can almost hear ARMYs collectively screaming in 100 languages.
The same boys who stood on the UN stage in 2018 to speak about self-love are now stepping into one of the most elite gatherings of global power. Back then, they talked about dreams and youth. This time, RM is standing tall among CEOs and world leaders to talk about cultural influence and creative innovation — proving that the line between art and diplomacy doesn’t just blur when BTS walks in. It disappears completely.
And honestly, it makes sense. Who better to discuss the modern world’s most effective form of influence than the man who helped create it?
