BTS RM’s speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) event on October 29 held in Gyeongju pulled at our heartstrings for so many reasons — not only because he became the first K-Pop artist to ever deliver a keynote speech at such an event, but also because he gave voice to the diversity within global communities built around a shared love of K-Pop, art, and the appreciation for Korean culture that has been steadily growing over the past few years.
2026 Has Been a Landmark Year for Korean Entertainment
This year being especially significant for the achievements of Korean content, from K-Pop Demon Hunters, a Korean Canadian production that reached No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and Hot 100 charts, becoming the first soundtrack ever to have four songs in the Hot 100 Top 10, to its success on streaming platforms, where it became one of the most-watched movies in Netflix history. Just followed by the K-Drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, another Korean production that accomplished 32.9 million worldwide views and became one of Netflix’s top non-English series.
But what makes all of this meaningful isn’t just the charts, numbers, or record-breaking success — it’s what they represent. Through the power of K-Pop and K-Dramas, we’re becoming more connected, finding healing in one another, and building empathy and genuine curiosity for the world around us. And there’s nothing that can top a community built on jeong and belongingness.
Experience Korean Culture Beyond the Screen
We’ve witnessed this firsthand throughout our Meet You in Korea Healing Tours, where we’ve seen people moved by the stories told in K-Dramas and the sounds of K-Pop to experience, in person, the country that gave them life. We’re seeing the walls that once separated us slowly come down, and we’re so grateful to play a part in that by immersing our international guests in South Korea’s colors, flavors, and heart.
Using RM’s own words, culture and art together can indeed move hearts beyond what we can imagine. And when they’re created with the intention to include, connect, and resonate with the human spirit, no matter where it is — they become a beacon powerful enough to inspire people to take action, build lasting bonds, and create something truly authentic that carries the essence of each one of us and where we came from.
Looking Ahead to Korea in 2026
And now that our last tour of the year has come to an end, we’re more eager than ever to continue witnessing how Korean culture expands and embraces this chapter that’s just beginning. From our side, we’ll keep playing our part in bridging South Korea to the world in 2026! Hope you can leave your mark too!
FAQs
No, these are two separate moments. RM addressed the United Nations back in 2018 during BTS’s “Love Myself” campaign, while his APEC speech happened on October 29, 2025, in Gyeongju, making him the first K-pop artist to deliver a keynote at an APEC event.
The K-drama reached 32.9 million worldwide views, making it one of Netflix’s top non-English series. It followed close behind K-Pop Demon Hunters as one of 2026’s standout Korean entertainment successes.
It became the first soundtrack ever to place four songs in the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10, while also hitting No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and Hot 100. It also became one of the most-watched movies in Netflix history.
He spoke about the diversity within global communities built around K-pop, art, and Korean culture, describing how “culture and art together can move hearts” beyond what we can imagine. It marked the first time a K-pop artist delivered a keynote speech at an APEC event.
