In an unprecedented display of cultural diplomacy, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi captivated global attention with an impromptu drumming performance following their bilateral summit. The two leaders, adorned in coordinated blue jackets, showcased their rhythmic talents to the beats of popular K-pop tracks including BTS’s “Dynamite” and the soundtrack from the film “KPop Demon Hunters.
The musical interlude, which leveraged Takaichi’s background as a former heavy metal band drummer, served as the concluding highlight of President Lee’s official state visit to Japan. This unconventional diplomatic approach forms part of Lee’s broader strategy to strengthen regional alliances, particularly with nations with which South Korea maintains complex historical relationships.
The viral video footage of the drumming session, which Lee self-deprecatingly described as “a little clumsy,” has generated significant positive engagement across social media platforms. During his visit to Nara—Prime Minister Takaichi’s hometown—Lee presented his Japanese counterpart with a custom drum set, followed by an exchange of autographed drumsticks after their performance.
Prime Minister Takaichi revealed on social media platform X that the musical surprise was orchestrated in response to Lee’s expressed aspiration to play drums during their previous meeting at the APEC summit last year.
The diplomatic significance of this cultural exchange extends beyond symbolic gestures. Both nations, despite historical tensions stemming from Japan’s colonial rule and ongoing territorial disputes, remain crucial U.S. allies in counterbalancing China’s growing regional influence. During the summit, Takaichi emphasized the increasing importance of trilateral cooperation among Japan, South Korea, and the United States amid evolving strategic challenges.
The leaders concurrently committed to enhancing economic collaboration, particularly relevant given China’s recent restrictions on rare earth and dual-use goods exports to Japan. This agreement signals a pragmatic approach to regional economic security concerns.
President Lee’s diplomatic methodology has yielded domestic political benefits, boosting his approval ratings through a series of carefully orchestrated engagements with world leaders. Prior to his Japanese visit, Lee met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where they captured selfies using a Chinese smartphone. In October, he presented former U.S. President Donald Trump with an elaborate golden crown during their meeting.
However, Lee’s diplomatic outreach has encountered limitations with North Korea, where Kim Jong Un’s administration has rejected peace overtures and recently demanded apologies regarding alleged surveillance drone incursions.
Lee’s political ascent initially raised concerns in Tokyo and Washington due to his perceived socialist economic leanings and relative international obscurity. These apprehensions have been partially alleviated through his balanced diplomatic approach among major regional powers, demonstrating a capacity for pragmatic statesmanship despite historical controversies, including the unresolved matter of wartime forced labor compensation.
In a reflective social media post, Lee drew parallels between their musical collaboration and diplomatic efforts: “Even if our timing was slightly different, our intention to find the same rhythm was shared. In that same spirit, we will continue to build a future-oriented Korea–Japan relationship together, with one heart.”