K-pop superstar G-Dragon, along with renowned dancers and an 11-year-old violin prodigy, captivated international leaders at the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting Gala Dinner on Friday night. The special cultural showcase took place in the historic city of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, presenting Korea's rich cultural heritage against the backdrop of the ancient capital's majestic nighttime scenery.

The evening began with a formal dinner hosted by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung at the Lahan Select Hotel in Sinpyeong-dong. Following the official dinner, the cultural program titled "Journey of Butterfly: Together, We Fly" commenced, designed to weave a narrative about building a sustainable future together amid growing global uncertainty, according to the presidential office.

The gala show was structured into three distinct acts, each representing different time periods and themes. "The First Flutter" showcased Korea's past, "Beyond the Wind" highlighted the present, and "Tiny Wings, Big Change" envisioned the future. The respective acts emphasized the rich history of the ancient Silla Kingdom (57 BC-AD 935), contemporary Korean culture, and a future vision shaped by artificial intelligence and robotics.

The performance opened with the haunting sounds of the "manpasikjeok," a traditional flute from the ancient Silla Kingdom that symbolizes unity and peace. Kim Ki-yeop delivered a mesmerizing performance using the "daegeum," a large bamboo flute central to traditional Korean music, bringing the harmonious spirit of the ancient Silla dynasty to life for the international audience.

The National Dance Company of Korea continued the cultural journey with a contemporary interpretation of Korean art that skillfully bridged the past and present. Their performance demonstrated how traditional Korean artistic elements can be reimagined for modern audiences while maintaining their cultural authenticity and significance.

G-Dragon, who serves as the honorary ambassador for APEC 2025, took center stage during the second act, which focused on Korea's journey toward growth and resilience. The K-pop icon dazzled the audience of international leaders, though his agency Galaxy Corp. declined to provide specific details about his setlist, citing confidentiality agreements. His performance represented the global reach and influence of contemporary Korean culture.

Joining G-Dragon were two prominent figures from Korea's dance scene. Honey J, the leader of HolyBang who gained international recognition after winning the first season of Mnet's dance competition "Street Woman Fighter," brought her signature choreographic style to the stage. Lee Jung, widely acclaimed for her choreography work on the Netflix global hit series "KPop Demon Hunters," also contributed to the evening's dynamic dance performances.

The final act created a unique fusion of technology, music, and symbolism to convey messages of hope, unity, and progress. In a particularly memorable moment, Spot, a sophisticated four-legged robot, joined 11-year-old violin prodigy Kim Yeon-ah for a performance that symbolized hope for the future and the harmonious integration of technology and human creativity.

The evening concluded with a powerful message of international cooperation as the APEC Project Choir took the stage. Comprised of 24 children representing various countries from around the world, the choir performed "Fly as One," delivering a universal message of peace and unity that resonated with the summit's themes of collaboration and shared prosperity among Asia-Pacific nations.