Nara: President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shared a unique cultural moment by playing drums together after their summit in Japan, Cheong Wa Dae announced. This event occurred in Takaichi's hometown and marked the first visit by a South Korean president to a Japanese city outside of Tokyo for a bilateral summit in 15 years.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the two leaders took part in a lighthearted drum performance following their discussions. They played at a drum set crafted by Japanese manufacturer Pearl, performing "Golden" from the Netflix series "KPop Demon Hunters" and BTS' hit song "Dynamite." Presidential spokesperson Kim Nam-joon shared in a written briefing that President Lee expressed fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing the drums during this performance.
Takaichi, who has a background in playing heavy metal drums from her college days, provided guidance to Lee throughout the performance, fostering a warm and friendly environment. Both leaders wore blue uniforms, prepared by the Japanese side, which displayed their names in English alongside their national flags, symbolizing their friendship and mutual respect.
In a gesture of camaraderie, Takaichi presented Lee with a pair of drumsticks, which both leaders signed and exchanged. Kim explained that the event was specifically organized by the Japanese side to highlight the rapport and closeness between the two leaders, transforming the informal talks into a memorable cultural exchange.