South Korean President Stuns Biden By Singing ‘American Pie’ At State Dinner

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol sings "American Pie" by Don McLean alongside US President Joe Biden during a state dinner at the White House, April 26, 2023 in Washington, DC.

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🖤

© Ian Kelly pic.twitter.com/mgmwa1cp0G
— Ysa (@ItsYsaCollano) April 27, 2023

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

🎥 by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images pic.twitter.com/LMMEidUmRX
— Official LeaS Global (@Team_LeaSGlobal) April 27, 2023

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.