At the APEC summit, RM of BTS told Donald Trump that cultural diversity is the key to global progress.
In a forum often dominated by trade talks and economic rhetoric, RM, the global superstar and leader of BTS, shifted the focus to something far more human: the power of diversity and cultural exchange.
Speaking at a business event on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, RM addressed the room shortly after Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung delivered their own speeches. While Trump focused on tariffs and economic protectionism, RM offered a sharp contrast.
“When cultural barriers come down and different voices harmonise together, there’s an explosion of creative energy. This is why K-Pop is loved everywhere,” he said, adding that he was speaking “not as a business leader, but as a creator and artist.”
The 31-year-old rapper highlighted the global reach of BTS’s fan community, ARMY, describing it as a form of “cultural solidarity that crosses borders and breaks down barriers.”
In a powerful metaphor, RM likened Korean pop culture to a traditional Korean dish: “Culture is like a river flowing freely. K-Pop is like bibimbap – a mix of diverse ingredients that come together to create something unique and beautiful.”
The speech comes as South Korea doubles down on its soft power ambitions, with President Lee declaring the K-pop industry a strategic priority for the nation’s cultural and economic future.
Closing his remarks with clarity and purpose, RM stated: “K-Pop’s success shows that cultural diversity and creativity are the greatest human potential. No borders, no limitations.”
In a room that had just applauded Trump’s economic nationalism, RM’s words stood as a direct challenge — a reminder that true global influence is born not from isolation, but from openness and unity.
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