BTS Leader RM Draws Parallels Between Korean Dish Bibimbap, K-Pop Music And ARMYs Can't Keep Calm

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Leader RM made headlines again and the ARMYs can't be more proud for their favourite pop-star. Making history once again, RM (Kim Namjoon) became the first-ever K-pop star to serve as a keynote speaker at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, which returned to South Korea this year.Addressing a hall filled with global policymakers, and innovators, the BTS leader spoke the audience with inspiring speech. He also likened K-pop music to the dish Bibimbap.

BTS Leader Kim Namjoon compares K-Pop to Bibimbap

In a video posted on X (Formerly known as Twitter), RM drew parallels between K-pop’s diversity and adaptability to Korea’s beloved dish bibimbap, known for its blend of distinct yet harmonious ingredients. He praised BTS’s journey as a reflection of that same spirit, blending global influences with Korean identity to create something truly unique.

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“K-pop embraces Western musical elements like hip-hop, R&B, and EDM without rejecting them, while fusing them with Korean aesthetics, emotions, and production systems. Like bibimbap, these disparate elements, while maintaining their distinct identities, come together to create a new result,” he explained.

ARMYs can't keep calm

Soon after the clips of his speech was shared online, scores of fans took to social media and posted them online. They also took pride in their favourite K-pop star speaking about Korean culture at international forum.ALSO READ: BTS Leader RM Becomes FIRST K-Pop Idol To Address APEC CEO Summit, Delivers Inspiring Speech Thanking ARMYs

RM opens up about BTS' humble beginnings

He also reflected on BTS’s humble beginnings and shared, “To create our own opportunities, we even danced and sang on the streets, handing out free concert flyers.” He revealed that despite facing skepticism from Western audiences who saw their music as part of a “non-English culture,” the group remained determined to break through those barriers, and ultimately succeeded.Expressing heartfelt gratitude, RM said, “I’m very lucky. I met the six members of BTS, producer Hitman Bang, who has always supported my vision, and most importantly, I met ARMY, a global community that embraces our music not as mere entertainment, but as a language of life.”He concluded his speech by calling on APEC leaders to invest in and empower young creators worldwide, urging them to create more opportunities for artists who, like him, aim to bridge cultures through creativity.