On the 13th, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi received visiting South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in her hometown of Nara. After a serious leader’s summit, the two broke new ground with a surprise-filled display of “music diplomacy”—appearing together as drummers to perform a medley of pop hits, including South Korean supergroup BTS’s “Dynamite.” The atmosphere at the event was warm and harmonious.
● Former Light Music Club Drummer Shows Off; Takaichi Fulfills Lee Jae-myung’s Dream
Takaichi, who joined a light music club and served as a drummer for a heavy metal band during her student days, made full use of her musical talents. Reportedly, during her visit to South Korea last year, Takaichi mentioned her interest in drumming. At that time, Lee Jae-myung casually remarked, “I’d like to try, too,” prompting the Japanese side to secretly plan this surprise.
According to reports, in a private event on the 13th, Takaichi and Lee Jae-myung dressed in matching blue outfits and took their seats at individual drum sets. Takaichi demonstrated “professional-level” technique and kept time perfectly, even giving Lee Jae-myung an impromptu lesson on the spot. Lee Jae-myung, experiencing drumming for the first time, joined in the spontaneous performance with great enthusiasm and, via his spokesperson, shared: “A life dream has come true—for as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to play drums.”
In addition to “Dynamite,” the two also played the theme song “Golden” from the recent Netflix and Golden Globe stand-out animated film “Kpop Demon Hunters.” This song just won the 83rd Golden Globe Award for “Best Original Song,” and features an uplifting, lively style.
After the performance, both leaders signed each other's drumsticks and exchanged them as keepsakes. Lee Jae-myung also presented a set of Korea-made drums as a souvenir, while Takaichi reciprocated with a Japanese-made outdoor activity wristwatch.
Choosing Nara as the location for this meeting also carried special significance. Not only is Nara Takaichi’s hometown, but it is also a sister city with Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, where Lee Jae-myung once served as governor. During the talks, both sides stated that with the increasingly severe strategic environment, tripartite cooperation between Japan, South Korea, and the US is of utmost importance. They also agreed to institutionalize “shuttle diplomacy” and jointly tackle future challenges involving supply chains and economic security.