Rapper RM, leader of the BTS phenomenon, on Wednesday called on business leaders around the world to push for policies that support cultural creators so their creativity can “flourish” before the world, in the first speech by a K-pop artist at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) event.
“As a creator and artist of this generation, I would like to take this opportunity to ask the distinguished APEC leaders to give opportunities (to cultural creators) for their talent to really shine,” RM said, speaking at a meeting of business leaders of the forum held in the South Korean city of Gyeongju.
RM stated that the global success of South Korean K-pop is based on its ability to unite musical elements from different countries, such as hip-hop or electronic music, with a South Korean aesthetic and essence.
RM of BTS with very clear ideas
The artist compared the genre as the famous local dish ‘bibimbap’, which is based on traditional South Korean rice and mixed with various vegetables and meat to create “something new”.
He also explained that K-pop should not be seen as a mere music genre, but as a complete package of “dance, videos, narratives and (interaction on) social media.”
He spent much of his speech talking about how his legion of fans, known as ARMY, grew from a small group of followers of an unknown Asian group, to a global network with causes of solidarity and tolerance.
RM stressed that culture also has economic elements, promising to continue sending “messages of courage and respect” with his art, in line with APEC’s vision of inclusion and diversity.
HYBE, the representative agency of BTS, is one of the main official sponsors of the event.
The meeting was attended by important business leaders from South Korea, such as Samsung CEO Lee Jae-yong, and internationally, such as Citigroup leader Jane Fraser.
It also featured keynote speeches by U.S. President Donald Trump and his South Korean counterpart Lee Jae-myung, reported Agencia EFE.
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