Japanese and South Korean leaders end summit with surprise drum jam

IN an unusual and light-hearted conclusion to their summit, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung took to the drums together, performing K-pop hits in a display of camaraderie that underscored efforts to strengthen bilateral ties

In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung brought an unexpected twist to their summit meeting on Tuesday, concluding the talks with a drum session featuring popular K-pop hits.

Reuters, on Wednesday, cited that in a short video posted on the Japanese Prime Minister’s office YouTube channel on Wednesday morning showed the two leaders playing along to global sensations including BTS and Kpop Demon Hunters.

Takaichi, an enthusiastic drummer and heavy metal fan, praised Lee’s rapid acquisition of drumming skills.

“The president learned to play the drums in just 5, 10 minutes,” she remarked in the video, highlighting the light-hearted tone of the encounter.

Lee shared his own reflections on X, formerly Twitter, writing, “Although our tempos were a bit different, we both tried to match the rhythm together – we will create a future-oriented relationship with one heart.”

The impromptu performance came amidst efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties between Tokyo and Seoul, which have historically been fraught with tension.

On Wednesday morning, the two leaders also visited Horyuji Temple in Nara, Takaichi’s hometown, signalling a more personable and collaborative approach to their relationship.

During statements earlier in the summit, both Takaichi and Lee emphasised their shared goal of deepening security and economic cooperation in East Asia, while committing to continued “shuttle diplomacy,” with Takaichi scheduled to visit South Korea in the near future. January 14, 2026