Japanese PM and South Korean President Go Viral with Surprise Duet

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung set aside deep-seated historical tensions to bond over K-pop and economic security during a two-day summit in Nara. Dressed in matching personalized blue sports tops, the two leaders shared a viral moment on social media after jamming together on drums, a surprise Takaichi arranged after Lee expressed an interest in the instrument during last year’s APEC summit. 

Takaichi, a former heavy metal drummer in her student days, led the session through hits like BTS’s "Dynamite," while Lee reflected on X that while the experience was initially awkward, the rhythm eventually aligned, symbolizing their shared intention to build a "future-oriented relationship."

Beyond the musical exchange, the summit held significant geopolitical weight. The leaders visited one of Japan’s oldest temples on Wednesday morning, but the backdrop of the meeting remained complex. Looming over the talks were Japan’s strained relations with China following Takaichi’s recent suggestions regarding military intervention in Taiwan, as well as the long-standing shadow of Japan’s 1910-1945 occupation of the Korean Peninsula. 

Despite these historical frictions and the domestic political shifts in Seoul following the removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, President Lee emphasized that cooperation between the two U.S. allies is "more important than ever." Describing the neighboring nations as "sharing a front yard," Lee and Takaichi formally agreed to strengthen ties on regional stability and economic security, signaling a continued thaw in Tokyo-Seoul relations.

credit AFP