On April 26, President Yoon Suk Yeol attended the state dinner as a guest of honor alongside Broadway stars Lea Salonga, Norm Lewis and Jessica Vosk. The three singers performed classics like “This Is the Moment,” “Happy Days Are Here Again,” “On My Own,” “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and “Somewhere” for those in attendance.
But President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea stole the show and received a standing ovation after he surprised guests at a state dinner by singing a verse of Don McLean’s “American Pie.”
The performance came at the end of a lavish dinner at the White House, which was hosted by President Joe Biden in honor of Yoon’s first official visit to the United States.
Yoon, who is a fan of the song, was encouraged to sing by first lady Jill Biden. He then took the microphone and launched into an a cappella rendition of the classic, which was released in 1971.
The audience, which included celebrities like Angelina Jolie and K-pop stars, clapped and cheered and eventually gave Yoon a standing ovation.
Yoon also received an autographed guitar from McLean, who was unable to attend the dinner due to scheduling conflicts.
The performance was a lighthearted moment at a state dinner that was otherwise focused on serious issues, such as the war in Ukraine and North Korea’s nuclear program.
Yoon’s performance was also a hit with social media users, who praised his singing skills and his show of goodwill towards the United States.
One Twitter user wrote, “Yoon Suk Yeol is the best president ever. He can sing, he can dance, and he can even speak English.”
Another user said, “This is the kind of leader we need in the world. Someone who is not afraid to show their love for their country and their people.”
Yoon’s performance was a welcome change of pace from the often-serious world of politics. It was a reminder that even the most powerful people in the world can still have fun and enjoy themselves.
