K-Pop Stars G-Dragon & Cha Eunwoo Shine at APEC Summit Gala

World leaders and K-Pop fans alike were captivated as G-Dragon brought the house down with a fiery performance and Cha Eunwoo charmed as the gala host at the recent APEC Summit.

TL;DR

K-pop legend G-Dragon performed a dynamic three-song set as the official APEC 2025 Korea Ambassador, leaving world leaders filming and swaying.
ASTRO's Cha Eunwoo, currently serving in the military, received special permission to host the prestigious welcome dinner with his renowned charm.
BTS leader RM delivered a powerful keynote address at the APEC CEO Summit, brilliantly comparing K-pop's global harmony to bibimbap.

Alright, K-Pop stans, get ready! The 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit wasn't just about high-stakes diplomacy and global economics; it was also a massive stage for some of Korea's biggest stars to shine, blending soft power with serious political talks. Held at the stunning Lahan Select Hotel in Gyeongju, South Korea, this event brought together world leaders and cultural icons in an unforgettable fusion of tradition, technology, and pure talent.

Think about it: President Lee Jaemyung, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and other global powerhouses were all there. But who really stole the show and got everyone pulling out their phones? None other than K-pop legend G-dragon and the ever-charming Cha Eunwoo. Seriously, diplomacy never looked this good!

G-Dragon's Electrifying Performance Ignites the APEC Stage

As the official APEC 2025 Korea Ambassador, G-Dragon (real name Kwon Ji-yong) didn’t just make an appearance; he owned the welcome dinner on October 31st. Despite being knee-deep in his "Übermensch" world tour, he took about ten minutes to perform a thrilling three-song set that included "Power," "Drama," and "Home Sweet Home."

His stage presence was, as expected, iconic. Dressed in a sleek black outfit with a vibrant red bow tie and a black fedora that distinctly evoked the traditional Korean 'gat' (bamboo hat), G-Dragon's look even drew comparisons to the "Lion Boys" from the popular Netflix animated film "K-Pop Demon Hunters." For his performance of "Drama," he added a symbolic touch by decorating his microphone with the APEC flag, truly showcasing his dedication to his ambassadorial role.

And the audience? They were mesmerized! Leaders and attendees from 21 countries, including President Lee Jaemyung and Chinese President Xi Jinping, were spotted raising their phones, eager to capture the moment, and even swaying along to the beat. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim later shared a 36-second clip of G-Dragon's "Drama" performance on his social media, proving that K-pop fever transcends all boundaries. That video alone racked up over half a million views, making it clear: G-Dragon's "power" is indeed global.

Cha Eunwoo: A Military Man Effortlessly Stepping into the Hosting Spotlight

If G-Dragon brought the heat, Cha Eunwoo (from the boy band ASTRO) brought the smooth. Serving currently in the Ministry of National Defense's Work Support Unit (essentially, the Army Band), it’s pretty unusual for an active-duty idol to host an event of this magnitude. But hey, when you're Cha Eunwoo, rules bend!

The government's APEC Summit Preparatory Planning Committee specifically requested him, and the Ministry of National Defense approved it, citing the promotion of national interests and civil-military cooperation. This superstar, also recognized as one of the real-life inspirations for Jinu from "Kpop Demon Hunters," proved to be the perfect choice. His renowned charm and excellent English proficiency made him an ideal emcee for the diverse international crowd. His introduction to the cultural performance, aptly titled "Journey of Butterfly: Together, We Fly," set a graceful tone for the evening.

RM's Insightful Address: K-Culture as a Harmonious Bibimbap

The K-pop star power didn't stop at the gala dinner. Days earlier, on October 29th, BTS leader RM (Kim Namjoon) delivered a keynote address at the "2025 APEC CEO Summit" cultural session held at the Gyeongju Arts Center. His speech, "The Cultural Creative Industry in the APEC Region and the Soft Power of K-Culture," was a highlight.

RM expressed immense pride and anticipation seeing the cultural industry on APEC's core agenda. He shared a poignant memory from over ten years ago when BTS first performed overseas, often having to explain "Where is Korea?" before their music. This journey, he noted, underscored the powerful growth of K-culture.

His analogy for K-pop was absolutely brilliant: bibimbap. He explained, "K-pop embraces Western musical elements without rejecting them, while fusing Korea's unique aesthetics and emotions." He beautifully described it as "a harmonious result of diverse cultural ingredients." RM emphasized the crucial need to "ensure a work environment where the diversity of culture can be preserved and expressed." A true leader, indeed!

"K-pop embraces Western musical elements without rejecting them, while fusing Korea's unique aesthetics and emotions. [It's] a harmonious result of diverse cultural ingredients."

— RM (Kim Namjoon) of BTS, addressing the 2025 APEC CEO Summit

A Feast for All Senses: The Grand Cultural Gala Show in Gyeongju

The APEC welcome dinner was more than just superstar performances; it was a comprehensive cultural spectacle designed to impress. The event was divided into three acts – past, present, and future – tracing the rich history of the ancient Silla Dynasty, celebrating the vibrancy of K-culture today, and envisioning a future powered by AI and robotics.

Guests were treated to dazzling performances, starting with dancers in intricate Silla Dynasty-inspired costumes. Beatboxing by Desire and dynamic street dance performances by Honey J, Leejung, and the HolyBang Crew showed off the modern edge of Korean artistry. But perhaps the most captivating elements were the high-tech integrations.

During the APEC Project Children's Choir’s rendition of "Fly as One," butterfly-shaped drones gracefully crossed the venue, mimicking fluttering wings. Even more futuristic was the sight of 11-year-old violin prodigy Kim Yeona (Kim Yeon-ah) performing alongside three quadruped robot dogs, "Spot" from Hyundai Motor-backed Boston Dynamics, dancing to HUNTR/X's "Golden" from "KPop Demon Hunter." It was a powerful display of harmony between human talent and artificial intelligence, showcasing Korea's technological prowess.

Traditional Korean culture was also proudly on display, with a daegeum (traditional large bamboo flute) performance by Kim Ki-yeop of the National Gugak Center, accompanied by the National Dance Company. The Presidential Office highlighted that this blend of culture and technology conveyed APEC's message of "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper," even amidst global uncertainties.

The Taste of Korea: Chef Edward Lee's Exquisite Culinary Journey

No grand event is complete without an unforgettable meal, and the APEC gala dinner delivered on that front too. Celebrity chef Edward Lee, famous from the cooking competition program "Black and White Chef," meticulously curated a menu in collaboration with Lotte Hotel that truly delighted the 400 distinguished guests.

The dishes were a harmonious fusion of Korean tradition and modern sensibilities, emphasizing locally sourced ingredients from Gyeongju. The course began with an assortment of traditional Korean vegetable wraps and Chef Lee’s signature crab salad with cured persimmon and pine nut sauce. This was followed by luxurious galbijjim (braised beef short ribs), prepared with "millennium hanwoo" – premium Korean beef from Gyeongju – alongside Wando abalone and snowman-shaped rice cake.

Guests also enjoyed gondalbinamul (narrow-head ragwort greens) bibimbap with sundubu (soft tofu) soup, accompanied by side dishes like white kimchi, Gyeongju soybean leaf, and lotus root stir-fried with perilla seeds. The meal concluded with an artistic dessert: "hanyip" (bite-size) roasted pine nut pie and doenjang (fermented bean paste) caramel injeolmi (chewy Korean rice cake), elegantly served in a traditional Korean mother-of-pearl box, complemented by Jirisan chrysanthemum flower tea.

For the toast, President Lee Jae Myung raised a glass of "Tiger Yuzu Fresh Makgeolli," a traditional Korean rice wine flavored with citron, which had previously won first place in a national competition. Talk about a menu fit for world leaders!

Gyeongju: Where Ancient History Meets Global Diplomacy

Choosing Gyeongju as the host city was no accident. This historically rich city, once the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom for nearly a millennium, is often called a "museum without walls" due to its numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites. It provided a breathtaking backdrop that beautifully underscored the "Journey of Butterfly" theme.

The leaders' lounge even featured a cultural heritage exhibition showcasing Silla’s intricate metalcraft and a folding screen with "Cheonnyeonbaesan," a 1996 masterpiece by Gyeongju-based artist Park Dae-sung. As a special gift, leaders received a "manpasikjeok" – a legendary instrument known as the predecessor of the daegeum, used in Silla royal court rituals to pray for peace and prosperity. President Lee's toast resonated with this symbolism, expressing hope that "The voices of APEC members united in Gyeongju will be reborn as the melody of the manpasikjeok, bringing peace, stability and new prosperity to the Asia-Pacific region."

Overall, the 2025 APEC Summit was a masterclass in soft power, demonstrating how Korea’s vibrant culture and cutting-edge technology can captivate global audiences, foster connections, and leave a lasting impression far beyond the conference halls.

FAQ: Your Quick Guide to the APEC K-Pop Buzz

K-Pop Idols G-Dragon & Cha Eunwoo Absolutely Smashed the APEC Summit in Gyeongju image 3

When did the APEC Summit events featuring K-pop stars take place? The main welcome dinner and gala show took place on October 31, 2025. BTS's RM delivered his keynote address at the APEC CEO Summit on October 29, 2025. What songs did G-Dragon perform at the APEC gala dinner? G-Dragon performed three songs: "Power," "Drama," and "Home Sweet Home." Why was Cha Eunwoo able to host the event while serving in the military? Cha Eunwoo received special permission from the Ministry of National Defense to host the APEC welcome dinner. The approval was granted to promote national interests and civil-military cooperation, recognizing his role as a prominent cultural figure. What was the significance of the "gat" hat G-Dragon wore? G-Dragon's black fedora was designed to evoke the silhouette of a traditional Korean "gat," a bamboo hat worn by men. This choice, along with his overall look, was noted to be reminiscent of the "Lion Boys" character from the popular Netflix animated film "K-Pop Demon Hunters," blending traditional and modern Korean aesthetics.