BTS leader RM talks about his group's rough start, K-pop's global growth in APEC speech

RM of BTS just made history as the first K-pop artist to address Asia-Pacific leaders at the APEC CEO Summit!

In his speech at the Gyeongju Arts Center in North Gyeongsang Province on Wednesday, the South Korean rapper and global superstar highlighted the global potential of K-pop and K-culture from the perspective of an artist.

"I'd like to share my personal thoughts on how K-Pop has transcended borders and moved people's hearts, and the meaning of that emotional connection. I also ask the global leaders here today for your deep interest and cooperation in fostering a future creative cultural ecosystem," he said.

RM said he's "very lucky" to have met the six other members of BTS — Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook — as well as producer "Hitman" Bang, who founded BTS' home label, Big Hit Music.

"Most importantly, I'm lucky I met ARMY, who accept our music, not just a diversion, but as our shared language of life," he said.

He credited ARMY's support and passion for opening a "brand new path" for him, giving him a voice that "was heard at the Billboard Music Awards, at the Grammys, at the United Nations, and even at the White House, at such historic and symbolic events, like right here at the APEC," RM said.

Back when BTS was only starting to enter the international market, RM said they were faced with the reality of "how high a cultural barrier could be."

"At the time, the music of BTS was quickly called non-English, a foreign culture. Trying to get a mainstream media through out music was like doing an experiment and a huge challenge."

"We tried to get on TV to show the world our music, but the doors were closed and would not move. But as you know, we couldn't just sit around and wait. We tried to make our own opportunities. We danced in the streets. We handed out flyers to free shows, but there was something even more difficult than those," he added.

RM said that when they would say they're artists from Korea, people didn't ask them about their music. Rather, they asked, "Are you from North Korea or South Korea? Where on earth is Korea?"

"But we overcame those barriers and now I'm here today sharing this precious moment with you," he said, adding that their dedicated fans were the force that broke down the barriers. "Back then, ARMY was seen as supporters of a minority culture from Asia. Now, they shape the world as a new community and a fandom culture."

He highlighted the "special principle of unity" as the driver behind K-pop's powerful and inclusive community.

More importantly, he added, the very concept of K-pop is that it's made of many different unique identities mixed together to make something new — Korea's aesthetics and production systems and western influences like hip-hop, R&B, and EDM.

"K-pop success came from respect and diversity and embracing world cultures but still holding on to Korea's unique identity,' RM said. "This is where ARMY's borderless solidarity came from and this is why K-pop is loved everywhere."

"I like to see this creative flow of culture happen everywhere around the world and the Asia-Pacific region has incredible dynamic cultural identity."

BTS debuted in 2013 under Big Hit Music, and made history with their success in breaching the global music market, becoming the first South Korean act to reach no. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 and Global 200 charts. They have since earned five Grammy nominations.

The supergroup has been reunited with all of its seven members having completed their mandatory military service this year and is now preparing for a big return with a new album next year ahead of a world tour. —JCB, GMA Integrated News