South Korean President Stuns Joe Biden By Singing ‘American Pie’ At State Dinner
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol wowed US President Joe Biden and the crowd at a White House state dinner on Wednesday night by breaking out into song.
The event featured a number of musical performances, such as Broadway stars Norm Lewis, Lea Salonga and Jessica Vosk performing “Somewhere” from “West Side Story”:
Norm Lewis, Jessica Vosk and Lea Salonga singing Somewhere????
— Ysa (@ItsYsaCollano) April 27, 2023
© Ian Kelly pic.twitter.com/mgmwa1cp0G
They also sang Don McLean’s 1971 hit, “American Pie”:
@MsLeaSalonga, @JessicaVosk and @normlewis777 performing “AMERICAN PIE” with the People singing along in the State Dining Room at the White House on April 26, 2023 in Washington, DC
— Official LeaS Global (@Team_LeaSGlobal) April 27, 2023
???? by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images pic.twitter.com/LMMEidUmRX
Turns out that’s one of Yoon’s favorite tunes ― and he took the mic and launched into the first verse:
Unexpected moment at the state dinner when the president of South Korea sings “American Pie.” pic.twitter.com/Dus6BiBU9E
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) April 27, 2023
“I had no damn idea you could sing,” Biden said as the room erupted.
Biden gave Yoon a guitar autographed by McLean, who was unable to attend but retweeted images and videos from the event.