WATCH: See What Happens After South Korean President Belts Out Classic Rock Song At WH Dinner

Katie JerkovichApril 27, 2023

South Korean President Surprises White House Guests with Classic Rock Performance

The White House was abuzz with excitement when South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol took the stage during a state dinner and belted out a few lines from Don McClean’s “American Pie.”

President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and a host of politicians and celebrities, including Angelina Jolie and reality TV stars Chip and Joanna Gaines, were in attendance, according to the New York Post.

Biden had heard that “American Pie” was one of Yoon’s favorite songs and asked him to sing it. Accompanied only by a piano, Yoon wowed the crowd with his singing skills, earning a standing ovation.

Watch the Performance Here:

South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol grabbed a mic and sang the Don Mclean classic “American Pie” to an astonished audience at the White House state dinner.

“I had no damn idea you could sing,” Biden told his counterpart. https://t.co/MIYlQuZvwk pic.twitter.com/uFhJBymKEP

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) April 27, 2023

Biden was clearly impressed, telling Yoon, “I had no damn idea you could sing,” as reported by the Post. He then presented Yoon with an acoustic guitar signed by Don McClean, who was supposed to attend the dinner but was unable to make it.

“The next state dinner we’re going to have, you’re looking at the entertainment,” Biden joked with the crowd.

Earlier in the day, the Bidens welcomed Yoon and his wife to the White House for a state visit, and the two leaders held a joint press conference in the Rose Garden.

Yoon expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality and spoke about the strong alliance between the US and South Korea.

President Biden is scheduled to host his first state dinner at WH for President Macron of France on Dec. 1, I’m told. 🇺🇸🇫🇷 https://t.co/0TB1ph3hOV

— jim acosta (@Acosta) September 26, 2022