Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation between their countries, capping their talks with an unexpected cultural exchange that featured a joint drumming performance to popular K-pop songs.
The light-hearted moment followed a bilateral summit held on Tuesday in Nara, Japan, the hometown of Prime Minister Takaichi.
In a video released by her office on Wednesday, both leaders were seen seated side by side, dressed in customised athletic jackets, as they played drums to hit tracks including BTS’ Dynamite and Golden by K-pop Demon Hunters.
The impromptu jam session was reportedly organised by Takaichi, who is known to be a fan of heavy metal music and played the drums during her university years. The performance came as a surprise to President Lee.
In a post on his X account, Lee expressed appreciation for Takaichi’s hospitality and said the opportunity to play the drums had been a long-held personal wish. Drawing a parallel between music and diplomacy, he noted that just as both leaders respected their differences and gradually synchronised their rhythms, he hoped Japan and South Korea would continue to deepen cooperation and grow closer step by step.
Takaichi, in a separate video message, praised Lee’s quick learning ability, remarking that he mastered the basics of drumming within minutes. She reaffirmed her commitment to advancing Japan–South Korea relations in a stable and forward-looking manner, adding that both governments would maintain close communication, including through proactive shuttle diplomacy.
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