After taking a ‘Xi Jinping selfie,’ President Lee and Takaichi perform a drum duet... President Lee says, “Even if we are slightly off the beat, our hearts are as one”

[The Financial News] While visiting Nara Prefecture in Japan, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi performed a drum duet together.

On the 13th, President Lee posted a photo of himself playing the drums with Prime Minister Takaichi on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
President Lee said, “It was a bit clumsy, but that made my ensemble with Prime Minister Takaichi all the more fitting. I tried to join in a little, but the skills of a professional were on a different level,” adding, “Just as our hearts were aligned in trying to keep the rhythm even if we were slightly off the beat, we will work together with one mind to build a future-oriented Korea–Japan relationship.”
The drum duet by President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi took place during an informal conversation session held privately after the Korea–Japan summit in Nara Prefecture.
Spokesperson Kim Nam-joon of Cheong Wa Dae said in a written briefing that the drum performance was a “surprise event” prepared by the Japanese side without prior disclosure.
Spokesperson Kim explained, “Prime Minister Takaichi presented President Lee with a pair of drumsticks and personally demonstrated how to play the drums on the spot, leading the duet,” adding, “The uniforms worn that day were embroidered with each country’s flag and the leaders’ names in English, adding meaning of friendship and mutual respect between the Korean and Japanese leaders to this unexpected event.”
Prime Minister Takaichi is well known as a drum enthusiast, having formed a heavy metal rock band during her school days and performed as its drummer.

At the informal gathering, the two leaders wore matching blue uniforms prepared by the Japanese side and sat side by side in front of a drum set made by Pearl Musical Instrument Company, one of Japan’s leading musical instrument brands, giving an impromptu drum performance.
President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi played the drums together to “Golden,” the theme song of K-Pop Demon Hunters, and “Dynamite,” the hit song by BTS.
According to Spokesperson Kim Nam-joon, President Lee remarked at the event, “Today I fulfilled a lifelong dream. Ever since I was young, it has been my wish to play the drums.”
After finishing their performance, President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi signed each other’s drumsticks and exchanged them.
Spokesperson Kim said, “It was a program prepared by the Japanese side to symbolically showcase the rapport and closeness between the two leaders,” adding, “It turned the reception venue into a special space for cultural exchange.”

newssu@fnnews.com Kim Soo-yeon Reporter