Lee Jae-myung and Sanae Takaichi’s K-pop Diplomacy: Drumming to BTS in 2026

Diplomacy has never sounded so loud. On January 14, 2026, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi traded formal rhetoric for drumsticks. The two leaders were seen jamming to BTS's 'Dynamite' and 'GOLDEN' by K-Pop Demon Hunters during their summit in Japan.

K-pop Diplomacy: Bridging the Geopolitical Divide

It's a scene that sounds like a viral fever dream, but it's officially documented on their respective YouTube channels. Both leaders played Japanese-made Pearl drums in a surprisingly pleasant display of unity. Despite their vastly different political stances, the two nations pledged to boost trilateral cooperation with China, signaling a pragmatic shift in East Asian relations.

The sudden camaraderie isn't just about music. Analysts suggest that increasing instability from traditional allies across the Pacific has forced Seoul and Tokyo to prioritize shared economic and security interests. In this context, K-pop serves as the ultimate icebreaker, leveraging South Korea's massive soft power to smooth over historical and political frictions.