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South Korea’s President Goes Viral Drumming K-Pop Hits With Japan’s Prime Minister
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung went viral after a playful jam session with Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi.
Wearing matching jackets, the two leaders drummed side by side to K-pop hits, including BTS’ ‘Dynamite’ and HUNTR/X’s ‘Golden’.
The spontaneous jam followed Tuesday’s summit in Nara, Japan, where both leaders pledged closer cooperation.
What began as diplomacy turned into a playful cultural exchange, giving a rare, entertaining glimpse of Lee and Takaichi letting loose, connecting over K-pop and shared musical fun.
The jam session was a surprise arranged by Takaichi herself, a former college drummer and heavy metal fan.
President Lee expressed his gratitude, saying, “Playing the drums has been a long-cherished dream, so I was especially grateful for the Prime Minister’s thoughtful consideration.”
In a video posted by Takaichi’s office, she praised Lee as a fast learner, saying he picked up the beats within minutes.
Observers noted that the playful performance humanized both leaders, showing their personalities beyond politics and highlighting a shared enjoyment of Korean pop culture.
This lighthearted cultural exchange marks a warm step forward in ‘shuttle diplomacy’ between the neighboring nations.
By bonding over music and rhythm, the leaders aim to develop relations in a stable way, proving that diplomacy sometimes works best with a drumstick.