Who is Kim gu mentioned by BTS RM
RM, the member of BTS, made a speech after receiving an award in 2019. He said “I think culture is more powerful than any other physical power. It is intangible power that breaks down all the boundaries.” And added it reminds him of what Kim Gu said.
Kim Gu was one of the most respected independence activists in Korea. When Japan invaded Korea and colonized it, Kim Gu led the independence movement against Japan with the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea from Shanghai.
Kim Gu’s ‘My wish’ is one of the most beloved passages in Korea. Here is Kim Gu’s passage RM quoted in his speech.
“I wish our nation to be the most beautiful country in the world. By this, I do not mean the most powerful nation.
I have felt the pain of being invaded by another nation, and I do not want my nation to invade others.
It is sufficient that our wealth makes our lives abundant; it is sufficient that our strength is able to prevent foreign invasions.
The only thing that I desire in infinite quantity is the power of a noble culture.
This is because the power of culture both makes us happy and gives happiness to others.
The reason people are so unhappy today is because there is lack of humanity, justice, compassion and love.
If these values take root in our hearts, the wealth that humanity currently has will be enough to enable all two billion of the world's population to live comfortably.
And enlightening people on the importance of these values can be done only by the power of culture.
I do not wish my nation to be a nation that imitates, but rather, a nation that is the origin of a noble culture.
I wish for true world peace and I wish it to be realized through the power of my nation’s culture.”