In a dazzling display of culture and charisma, G-Dragon stole the spotlight at the 2025 APEC Summit Welcome Dinner, performing in front of some of the world’s most powerful figures — South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Japan’s newly inaugurated Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and representatives from 21 APEC member countries.
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The event, held at the Lahan Select Hotel in Gyeongju, turned into a cultural moment as G-Dragon took the stage wearing a traditional Korean “gat” — a black hat historically worn by men during the Joseon Dynasty to symbolize dignity and social status.
Performing his songs “Power,” “Drama,” and BigBang’s “Home Sweet Home,” G-Dragon delivered a flawless stage that merged traditional symbolism with modern artistry. Fans and dignitaries alike were captivated by his presence, applauding the perfect blend of K-pop and Korean heritage.
APEC晩餐会
— ギロコ Giroko (@H_IROKO) October 31, 2025
G-DRAGONステージ（ハイライト） pic.twitter.com/Xbfn0NI02D
Social media quickly lit up with clips from the night, as fans around the world celebrated the performance. “He performed in front of world leaders wearing a gat! This is next-level pride,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Even Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs publicly praised G-Dragon’s performance online — a rare moment of international recognition that further underscored his global influence.
APEC 首脳晩餐会に出席しました。
— 茂木敏充 (@moteging) October 31, 2025
食事はもちろん、KPOPスターのG-DRAGONの素晴らしいパフォーマンスもありました。
韓国もやりますね。 pic.twitter.com/E6BpuyneI7
Currently on his ‘Übermancy’ world tour, which includes stops in cities like Tokyo, Sydney, Los Angeles, and Paris, G-Dragon will wrap up the tour this December with a grand finale at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome.
From Seoul to the APEC stage, G-Dragon continues to prove that few artists can bridge culture, diplomacy, and music quite like him.