There’s something beautifully poetic about watching Kim Namjoon — the same kid who once scribbled lyrics in a tiny studio — stand on an international stage speaking to world leaders about art, culture, and creativity. But apparently, the internet found a way to twist even that into something ugly.
Yes, RM gave a heartfelt, intelligent, and deeply thoughtful speech at the APEC CEO Summit 2025, during the session titled “Cultural and Creative Industries in the APEC Region and the Soft Power of K-Culture.” He spoke about giving financial and institutional support to creators across the world — not just big names, but the small artists whose dreams usually never reach the spotlight.
It was the kind of message we should all agree on. But instead, the usual crowd of keyboard experts decided to spin it into something it wasn’t.
The Speech That Meant Something
RM said:
“There are creators all over the world. Please help them. Give them the financial support so that their own creativity can bloom.”
Simple. Honest. Powerful. This is the same man who’s spent years writing about art, museums, and identity — who built an entire album (Indigo) around the question of what it means to be an artist in a commercial world. RM has always been a thinker first and a celebrity second. He’s not reading from a teleprompter; he’s speaking from years of experience, from standing in both the art gallery and the rehearsal room, from knowing how fragile creative dreams can be.
But of course — the internet heard “help creators” and thought it was time to start a fight.
The Backlash Nobody Asked For
Some people, mostly those who can’t handle seeing a young Korean artist speaking with confidence, started digging through old clips of RM, twisting words, and calling him “hypocritical” or “narcissistic.” They accused him of “boasting” about BTS’s success when he once said the group helped open global doors for Asian artists.
But let’s get something straight: telling the truth about what BTS achieved is not arrogance — it’s history.
BTS did change the industry. They did make it easier for other Asian acts to get recognition. They did rewrite what global success looks like for non-Western artists. And when RM acknowledges that, he’s not bragging — he’s stating facts that the world already knows. The only people uncomfortable with that are the ones who can’t handle that those seven Korean men built something too big for their imagination.
So when RM stands on that stage and says, “Let’s support creators,” he’s not being hypocritical. He’s being consistent. He’s been supporting artists — financially, emotionally, and intellectually — for years. From donating to art museums to personally purchasing and promoting local artists’ work, Namjoon walks the talk.
The Real Hypocrisy
What’s truly ironic is watching people who’ve never created anything meaningful in their lives — no art, no music, no kindness — criticize someone who’s literally dedicated his entire existence to art. The ones shouting “narcissist” are usually the ones tweeting from their beds, surrounded by the comfort of work created by people like him.
They listen to music, watch movies, enjoy art — all made by “creators” — and then attack a man for asking the world to respect and support those same people. That’s not just ignorant; that’s pure hypocrisy.
RM, the Artist the World Still Doesn’t Deserve
The truth is, RM didn’t have to speak at that summit. He could have stayed quiet, written another song, and watched the chaos from afar. But he chose to use his influence to push a message bigger than himself. That’s leadership. That’s integrity.
Every time he opens his mouth, he represents not just BTS or Korea — but a generation of creators who dream of being taken seriously. That’s not ego; that’s responsibility.
The world keeps calling him “too smart,” “too confident,” “too proud.” But here’s a secret: those are just new words for “too different.”
RM doesn’t fit into their box of what a pop idol should be — quiet, polished, predictable. He’s a poet who reads philosophy for fun, a rapper who writes about the loneliness of success, and an art collector who sees beauty where others see blank walls. And the world still doesn’t quite know what to do with that.
The ARMY Perspective: We See Him
We, ARMYs, know who he really is. The humble leader who bows deeper than anyone at award shows. The man who apologizes when he doesn’t even have to. The one who gave credit to fans, producers, dancers, and writers long before the industry even noticed.
So yes, RM spoke like a leader — because he is one. And if people can’t handle that confidence, that’s on them. We’re not going to apologize for loving someone who uses his platform for good.
They can call him names all they want, but you can’t erase a legacy that’s already written. RM stood before some of the most powerful people in the world and talked about art. That alone is revolutionary.
So maybe instead of mocking him, the world should try listening — really listening — to what he’s saying. Because history has proven, time and time again, that when RM speaks, he’s usually a few steps ahead of everyone else.
