South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol surprised attendees at Wednesday night’s state dinner at the White House when he grabbed a microphone and sang a verse of “American Pie” in front of President Biden and an oil portrait of Abraham Lincoln. Although it’s not clear how spontaneous the moment was, it felt un-scriptable and genuine. The 62-year-old leader of an American ally, known for being something of a hawk at home, softly crooned McLean’s classic in a language Yoon is known to love. The gowned and suited audience in the State Dining Room nodded along, some in clear astonishment, and applauded wildly at the end.
The pianist seemed unfazed, and three Broadway stars had performed the same song minutes earlier. When Yoon finished his rendition, Biden presented him with a guitar signed by the song’s author, Don McLean. “I had no damn idea you could sing,” Biden told his counterpart.
The event was highly coordinated, with everything from the celebrity guest list to the fabrics planned in advance. However, this spontaneous moment of emotion stood out. Yoon’s decision to sing a beloved American song in English demonstrated a level of goodwill and respect for his hosts that is often missing in international diplomacy.
Yoon has been a vocal advocate for strengthening the US-South Korea alliance, and his decision to sing an American classic at the White House is a clear indication of his commitment to the relationship. It also shows that Yoon is willing to take risks and be vulnerable in his interactions with other world leaders.
Overall, Yoon’s performance at the state dinner was a memorable moment that demonstrated the power of music to bring people together. In a world where political tensions often run high, it’s refreshing to see leaders from different countries come together and share a moment of genuine emotion.
Original Story at www.washingtonpost.com – 2023-04-27 14:21:05