From nuclear to karaoke: South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol concluded his visit to the White House on Wednesday with a few vocals, which did not fail to arouse the admiration of his American counterpart, Joe Biden. At a dinner in his honor, after far more serious bilateral talks promising, among other things, an “end” to the North Korean regime in the event of a nuclear attack on US allies, Yoon Suk-yeol shared his passion for American music. “We know it’s one of your favorite songs, American Pie,” says Joe Biden, taking his guest on stage to listen more closely to artists playing this Don McLean ballad.
“Yes, it’s true,” replies Yoon Suk-yeol, known in South Korea to be a karaoke fan, admitting to being a fan of this title since its release in 1971, when he was still in school. “We want to hear you sing it,” then tries his American host. Yoon Suk-yeol doesn’t really offer any resistance and takes the mic: “It’s been a long time but…”
It aligns the first words a capella. The audience applauds, Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, are delighted. “At the next State dinner that we will have, it is you who will take care of the animation,” laughs the American president. “I had no damn idea you could sing.” After his performance, Yoon Suk-yeol was offered a guitar by his counterpart sent and signed by Don McLean, who was unable to join the dinner.
On social media, netizens praised Yoon Suk-yeol’s singing talents. “Yoon literally tore everything up at the White House!” enthused a user on Twitter, in Korean, in the comments under the video showing the president singing. “Yoon revealed his hidden talent as a singer,” wrote another, also in Korean, sharing the clip.
However, this is not the first time that Yoon Suk-yeol has sung in public. In the middle of the 2021 presidential campaign, he made an appearance on the South Korean show All the Butlers, arousing the admiration of the set with his interpretation of No one else, by Lee Seung-chul.
