Politics just got a whole lot louder. A viral video of Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is breaking the internet, and the vibes are immaculate. In a moment netizens are calling “peak wholesome,” the two leaders swapped policy papers for drumsticks to jam out to K-pop’s biggest hits.
Summit After-Hours: The Nara Jam
The surprise session happened on January 13, 2026, right after formal talks in Nara. PM Takaichi actually hosted the event in her home prefecture. It was the perfect pivot from high-stakes diplomacy to a high-energy jam session meant to bridge cultural gaps.
Tracksuits and Pearl Drums
The best part? Both leaders ditched their formal suits for matching blue tracksuits. They sat behind high-end six-piece kits from Pearl, the legendary Japanese drum brand. It was a literal mix of Japanese craftsmanship and Korean musical heat.
The Setlist: BTS and Beyond
The duo didn’t play it safe. They tackled BTS’s iconic 2020 smash “Dynamite” before moving on to “Golden.” That track is currently huge—it’s the award-winning theme from the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack. Choosing a 2026 Golden Globe winner shows they definitely know what’s charting.
“A Lifelong Dream”
PM Takaichi is famously a former drummer, but this was a major bucket-list moment for President Lee. They even signed each other’s sticks as diplomatic souvenirs. “I realized a lifelong dream today,” Lee shared via Korea JoongAng Daily. He’s apparently wanted to play the drums since he was a kid.
