K-pop stars G-Dragon and Cha Eun-woo lit up the Apec 2025 gala dinner in Gyeongju, captivating global leaders and delegates. The dinner, held at Lahan Select Hotel's grand ballroom, began with Cha, a South Korean singer-actor currently serving in the military, hosting the evening in fluent English. Cha, who is part of the K-pop boy band Astro, participated in the event as part of the government's effort to promote South Korean pop culture on the world stage. G-Dragon, the BigBang frontman and Apec 2025 Korea ambassador, was the night's only K-pop performer. He took the stage for about 10 minutes, delivering an electrifying medley of his hit songs, including Power (2024), Home Sweet Home (2025), and Drama (2025). While singing Power, G-Dragon wore a fedora with a pearl chain hanging from it, evoking the silhouette of a gat, a traditional Korean hat worn by men. For Drama, he added a symbolic touch by decorating his microphone with the Apec flag. Other performances featured dance crews led by choreographer Lee Leejung and Honey J, leader of HolyBang, who won the first season of Mnet dance competition Street Woman Fighter (2021). The last act featured a four-legged robot, Spot, who joined 11-year-old violin prodigy Kim Yeon-ah in a performance symbolizing hope for the future. Meanwhile, the Apec Project Choir, made up of 24 children from around the world, sang Fly As One to convey a message of peace. The menu, prepared by Korean-American chef Edward Lee, showcased a 'harmony of Korean and Western cuisine', featuring Gyeongju-style braised short ribs and vegetable bibimbap. The dinner was attended by about 400 people, including Apec leaders and spouses, international organization heads, and global CEOs. Chinese President Xi Jinping was spotted conversing with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung during G-Dragon's performance, and later smiling as he received a paper butterfly - a reference to the Apec logo - from a children's choir performance. But here's where it gets controversial... While the event celebrated cultural exchange, some may argue that the focus on K-pop and pop culture overshadows the economic and political discussions at the Apec summit. And this is the part most people miss... The dinner's highlight was undoubtedly the performances, but the event also served as a platform for South Korea to showcase its cultural influence on the world stage. So, what do you think? Do you think K-pop's presence at the Apec summit was a positive representation of South Korea's cultural influence, or do you think it overshadowed the economic and political discussions? Share your thoughts in the comments!
