Cultural Diplomacy at APEC: How South Korea Showcased K-Beauty, K-Pop, and Cuisine to World Leaders

Nov 01, 2025 01:52 pm CST

South Korea transformed the APEC summit into a showcase of cultural soft power, where world leaders experienced everything from traditional Korean crowns to K-beauty products. Notable moments included President Trump receiving a gold Silla dynasty crown replica, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang enjoying Korean fried chicken, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shopping for K-beauty products, and K-pop star G-Dragon performing in traditional attire. These cultural exchanges highlighted South Korea's strategic blend of ancient traditions with modern global influence during high-stakes international diplomacy.