Korea-Japan Leaders Surprise with Drum Performance to K-Pop Demon Hunters and BTS Songs... Lee: "Different Rhythms, Same Heart"

Korean and Japanese Leaders Perform in Blue Uniforms Embroidered with Their Names
A Surprise Event Prepared by Japan... Takaichi Gives President Lee a Drum Lesson

President Lee Jaemyung participated in a surprise drum performance with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a private gathering that followed the Korea-Japan summit. The drum performance was a surprise event prepared by the Japanese side without prior notice to the Korean delegation.

Yonhap News Agency

On the 13th, President Lee posted a photo of himself performing with Prime Minister Takaichi on his X (formerly Twitter) account, writing, "It was a bit clumsy, but that made it all the more fitting to play together with Prime Minister Takaichi. I tried to join in, but the skills of a professional were on a different level." He added, "Just as our rhythms might have been a little different but our intentions were the same, I will work to build a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship with a united spirit."

Prime Minister Takaichi is well known as a drummer, having formed a rock band and played drums since high school. It is said that even after being elected as a lawmaker for the first time, she always carried drumsticks with her.

On this day, the two leaders wore blue uniforms prepared by the Japanese side and sat at a drum set made by Pearl, a leading Japanese musical instrument brand, which was set up in the reception room. At the event, Prime Minister Takaichi presented President Lee with a pair of drumsticks. After a brief lesson from Prime Minister Takaichi, President Lee joined her in playing the drums to the theme song "Golden" from "K-Pop Demon Hunters" and BTS's hit song "Dynamite."

The uniforms worn by the two leaders were reportedly embroidered with their respective national flags and their names in English. Kim Namjoon, spokesperson for the presidential office, explained, "This added meaning to the friendship and mutual respect between the two leaders."

After the performance, President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi signed each other's drumsticks and exchanged them. Spokesperson Kim conveyed that President Lee remarked, "Today, I fulfilled a lifelong dream. Since I was a child, it has been my wish to play the drums."

Kim added, "This program, arranged by the Japanese side, was intended to symbolically showcase the rapport and closeness between the two leaders," and "It turned the reception room into a special venue for cultural exchange."