1. An apparatus for performing multi-tasking in a portable terminal, the apparatus comprising: a display for displaying an application-containing image in which at least one specific image representing at least one application running in a background is contained and arranged; and a controller for operatively displaying the at least one specific image representing the at least one application running in the background, so as to be contained in the application-containing image, and for controlling the at least one application running in the background by controlling the at least one specific image based on a specific gesture.