For many years, the entertainment industry has been considered a key sector in South кσяєα, holding a significant share of the economy. Its impact comes not only directly through content exports but also indirectly by boosting other industries such as tourism, consumer spending, and even soft power—national branding.
According to reports, exports of cultural content (K-pop, films, games, webtoons, TV shows, etc.) reached around USD 12.4 billion in 2022. In 2023, кσяєα’s cultural industry contributed roughly 3% of the national GDP, generating millions of jobs—from music and film production to gaming and auxiliary industries (tourism, commerce, advertising).
This is also why, over the past decade, successive South кσяєαn presidents have highly valued this industry and emphasized collaboration with celebrities in the entertainment industry. But to the extent of taking a selfie together? President Lee Jae Myung, CEO Park Jin Young, and BTS’s RM? Quite surprising, isn’t it?
That was exactly the feeling among netizens when President Lee uploaded a four-cut style photo on his official X account. At first glance, fans seemed to see RM in part of the frame making expressions like winking or smiling warmly, while the President and CEO Park, dressed in hanbok, smiled brightly and posed happily in the other half.
In reality, however, it wasn’t a direct selfie with BTS’s leader—it was simply a preset RM photo frame, a trend currently popular among young people. Thanks to overlay technology, the picture looked as though they were truly taking it together.
The backdrop for this photo was President Lee’s visit to the “K-pop Cultural Experience Zone” during the inauguration of the Presidential Committee of Popular Culture Exchange, where Park Jin Young—CEO and chief producer of JYP Entertainment—was appointed co-chair.
When suggesting the Photoism shoot, Chairman Park mentioned: “RM isn’t here, but the President can still take a photo with him.” President Lee then asked, “So we can think of him as being here, right?” Afterwards, the two posed together with trending gestures such as the finger heart—and the sensational photo was born.
The picture also came as a ѕнσ¢к to the person in the frame—RM himself. When he discovered it going viral on social media, RM could hardly believe he had a commemorative shot with the sitting president. He even wrote on Weverse with great skepticism: “Oh my god, is this a manip?”—making fans laugh.
Meanwhile, President Lee Jae Myung established the Presidential Committee of Popular Culture Exchange in September this year, aiming to expand the influence of popular culture and to map out strategies for cultural exchange.
President Lee stated: “The government will actively support кσяєαn popular culture so that it not only brings laughter, emotion, and empathy to global au∂ιєnces, but also becomes a core industry of the кσяєαn economy,” reflecting his emphasis on the field.
On another note, BTS—represented by RM—along with Oscar-winning director Bong Joon Ho and esports star Faker, sent congratulatory video messages at the committee’s launch event on the 1st. In South кσяєα, BTS, director Bong Joon Ho, Faker, and Son Heung Min are regarded as the four leading figures of the nation’s entertainment industry.
Notably, BTS has drawn special attention since the presidency of Moon Jae In, when they were invited twice to deliver speeches, attend, and even perform at the United Nations. The group was also appointed as “Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture” and granted diplomatic pαѕѕports. Additionally, the Cultural Merit Medal for their global contributions is considered the highest honor.
Fans speculated that this was perhaps why President Lee shared the photo with RM along with the caption: “PPX Kick-off!” Unable to hide their astonishment yet also showing admiration, fans left numerous comments:
- Sk president taking pics with Namjoons photo booth?? OMG, this is so insane
- not the president of south korea and jyp taking pictures of a namjoon photobooth like they took it seriously namjoon for president im crying
- Omg, it's real?! I just came from weverse, thought it's edited, lol and Joon saw it too, haha
- Like that is the president of the country himself... omg. President of south korea with president of namkanda
- Namjoon for president is much closer than we think guys. It's huge honor
- This is called impact.From giving a speech in UNICEF which later FEATURED in election broadcast to the current president of SK taking photos with Namjoon photobooth-A full circle moment.Feels so good of being a fan of someone who is valued by respected person.
- this is so random not president of south korea acting cute with namjoon photobooth filter with jyp LMFAOOOOO
- Thought it was Ai but it's The President OF SK and JYP himself taking pics of namjoon photobooth I'M CRYING
- RM and BTS are no longer just K-pop artists — they’re national representatives, recognized and valued by the President and the government. I feel so proud that the idols I love have become the pride of the whole country
- Look, from speaking at the UN to being featured in a photo with the President, BTS has reached a level no one can deny. Haters probably don’t even have the face to speak up anymore.
- BTS doesn’t just have fans — they have recognition from the highest levels of кσяєα. At this point, haters staying silent makes sense, because every step the group takes proves they’re on a national level
