Enjoy Lee, Takaichi’s viral jamming session, in case you missed It

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung rounded off their summit meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, with an unexpected jam session where the two played drums along to some K-pop hits.

In a short video posted on the Japanese Prime Minister's office YouTube channel on Wednesday morning, the two leaders played the drums to global hits from the likes of BTS and K-pop Demon Hunters, reports the Korean Herald.

The Japanese PM sprang the jam on Lee, recalling his offhand remark from their first encounter in Gyeongju about wanting to play drums since youth.

Takaichi, a keen drummer and fan of heavy metal, complimented Lee's new found chops.

"The president learned to play the drums in just 5, 10 minutes," she said in the video.

"Although our tempos were a bit different, we both tried to match the rhythm together—we will create a future-oriented relationship with one heart," Lee posted on X on Wednesday morning.

Takaichi praised his quick pickup, noting he grasped the basics in minutes despite her edge from university heavy metal days.

Additionally, while the ties between Tokyo and Seoul have often been strained in the past, Takaichi and Lee have forged a friendlier relationship, and on Wednesday morning the two also visited Horyuji Temple in Nara, Takaichi's hometown.

In statements on Tuesday, Takaichi and Lee said they aimed to deepen security and economic ties in the face of growing tensions in East Asia and to continue "shuttle diplomacy", with Takaichi next due to visit South Korea.