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Manila Bulletin devider World devider Japanese and South Korean leaders jam to K-pop hits at a summit

Japanese and South Korean leaders jam to K-pop hits at a summit

Published Jan 14, 2026 12:33 pm
In this photo released on the official website of Prime Minister's Office of Japan, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, right, and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung play drump together after their talks in Nara, western Japan Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (Prime Minister's Office of Japan via AP)
In this photo released on the official website of Prime Minister's Office of Japan, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, right, and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung play drump together after their talks in Nara, western Japan Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (Prime Minister's Office of Japan via AP)
TOKYO (AP) — The Japanese and South Korean leaders agreed to deepen cooperation between their countries before they let loose with their own surprise cultural exchange in a surprise jam session drumming to K-pop hits.
The musical performance between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung followed Tuesday's summit in Nara, Japan, Takaichi's hometown.
Wearing personalized athletic jackets, they sat side by side and drummed to hits such as BTS' “Dynamite” and Kpop Demon Hunters' “Golden" in a short video posted by Takaichi's office Wednesday.
In this photo released on the official website of Prime Minister's Office of Japan, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, right, and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung react as they play drump together after their talks in Nara, western Japan Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (Cabinet Public Affairs Office via AP)
In this photo released on the official website of Prime Minister's Office of Japan, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, right, and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung react as they play drump together after their talks in Nara, western Japan Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (Cabinet Public Affairs Office via AP)
The jam session was a surprise by Takaichi, a heavy metal fan and an avid drummer in her college days.
Lee thanked Takaichi's hospitality for arranging the jam session, as playing the drums has been his longtime dream.
Just like they respected each other's differences and aligned their rhythms gradually, Lee said, he hoped South Korea and Japan will deepen their cooperation and become closer step by step.
Takaichi, in a video, complimented Lee as a fast learner, saying he learned to play the drums in just a few minutes.
In this photo released on the official website of Prime Minister's Office of Japan, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, right, and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung react as they play drump together after their talks in Nara, western Japan Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (Prime Minister's Office of Japan via AP)
In this photo released on the official website of Prime Minister's Office of Japan, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, right, and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung react as they play drump together after their talks in Nara, western Japan Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (Prime Minister's Office of Japan via AP)
“In order to develop Japan-South Korea relations in a forward-looking way and stably, we will continue our close communication between the two governments including by proactively carrying out our ‘shuttle diplomacy,'” Takaichi said.

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