G-Dragon and Cha Eun-woo Shine at APEC Summit Dinner in Gyeongju

Star-Studded APEC Gala Features K-Culture Showcase

The official APEC summit dinner welcomed world leaders with a vibrant celebration of Korean culture, featuring performances by K-pop icon G-Dragon and actor Cha Eun-woo as host.

High-Profile Attendees Gather in Gyeongju

On October 31st, President Lee Jae-myung hosted an official welcome dinner at the Lahan Hotel grand ballroom in Gyeongju for APEC member nations and invited dignitaries. The prestigious event brought together leaders from 21 APEC member economies, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, newly appointed Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, along with global CEOs and international figures.

Culinary Excellence Meets Korean Tradition

The dinner menu was developed with participation from celebrity chef Edward Lee, who gained international recognition through Netflix's "Culinary Class Wars." Guests enjoyed a fusion of traditional Korean dishes featuring Gyeongju-sourced ingredients, including vegetable bibimbap and braised short ribs, complemented by Western-style offerings such as pie and caramel desserts.

Cultural Performance Bridges Past and Future

Following the meal, attendees were treated to a cultural performance titled "Butterfly, Flying Together." The three-act production journeyed from the brilliant history of the Silla dynasty through contemporary K-culture to a future vision symbolized by AI and robotics technology. The show conveyed the message of "creating a sustainable tomorrow together" through Korean culture and innovation.

Cha Eun-woo served as master of ceremonies, while the lineup featured G-Dragon, choreographer Honey-J, Rijeong, and 11-year-old violinist Kim Yeon-ah.

G-Dragon Commands Stage as APEC Ambassador

Serving as an APEC Summit promotional ambassador, G-Dragon made a dramatic entrance wearing a traditional Korean hat inspired by "Saja Boyz" from the Netflix animation "K-Pop Demon Hunters." He performed three songs including "POWER," "HOME SWEET HOME," and "DRAMA," greeting the audience with "WELCOME TO APEC. I'm APEC 2025 Korea promotional ambassador, singer G-Dragon." The performance drew warm smiles from President Lee and President Xi Jinping.

Cha Eun-woo Returns as Gracious Host

Despite being on military duty, Cha Eun-woo appeared as the evening's emcee, delighting audiences with his polished English-language hosting skills. The actor, who served as the real-life model for character Jin-woo in the "K-Pop Demon Hunters" animation, displayed his signature charm and professionalism. He expressed his gratitude, saying he never imagined he would stand on such a stage as a host.