UPDATE: G-Dragon electrified the stage during the welcome dinner of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, captivating world leaders and earning praise from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The performance took place on October 31, 2023, in Gyeongju, South Korea, and has since gone viral.
During a dynamic 10-minute set, G-Dragon, a prominent K-pop artist and APEC 2025 promotional ambassador, performed his hits including Power, Home Sweet Home, and Drama. His appearance at the APEC welcome dinner drew admiration from heads of state and business executives around the globe.
Just a day later, on November 1, Prime Minister Anwar shared a clip of G-Dragon’s performance on his official Instagram account. The post read, “Many K-pop fans in Malaysia are asking me to share #DRAGON’s performance tonight. So I’m sharing a little moment from his performance so as not to disappoint the fans,” accompanied by the hashtag #KPOPFOREVER.
The video showcased G-Dragon performing with a microphone wrapped in the APEC flag, a symbolic gesture that resonated deeply with K-pop enthusiasts across Southeast Asia. The clip quickly went viral, highlighting the significant cultural influence of K-pop in the region.
In a testament to G-Dragon’s global appeal, Anwar also featured the artist’s track Who You in another Instagram reel, which highlighted his interactions with various heads of state and business leaders during the summit.
G-Dragon’s powerful performance and the Malaysian Prime Minister’s enthusiastic response underscore the growing intersection of politics and popular culture in today’s global landscape. As K-pop continues to gain traction worldwide, its impact on events like APEC 2025 is becoming increasingly evident.
As the summit progresses, all eyes will remain on the cultural exchanges and collaborations that emerge from this historic gathering. Stay tuned for further updates on the APEC 2025 developments and the continuing influence of K-pop on the global stage.
