Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

South Korea's President Stuns White House Dinner Attendees By Sweetly Singing 'American Pie'

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol sings "American Pie" during a state dinner at the White House
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

President Yoon Suk Yeol got a standing ovation from the White House crowd after showing off his vocal chops with the Don McLean classic.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol surprised everyone with his musical talent during the White House state dinner on Wednesday.

After a musical medley by three Broadway stars, First Lady Jill Biden requested the trio sing one more song—Yoon’s favorite, "American Pie"—which was made famous by singer Don McLean in 1971.


The South Korean leader then took the microphone and delivered a brief rendition, followed by a full performance to huge cheers and a standing ovation from guests. President Joe Biden led the acclaim for his counterpart's musical abilities, and even handed him an autographed guitar from McLean himself.

The room cheered at the sight of the politician very clearly enjoying himself as he performed the first verse of the classic song.

You can see the performance below.

South Korean President Yoon sings 'American Pie' www.youtube.com

The footage circulated on social media as well when journalists like Reuters White House correspondent Jeff Mason shared it.

Footage of the performance quickly went viral and prompted many to express their

Many viewed the performance as an example of camaraderie between American politicians and their allies.








The performance came after the two leaders announced an agreement to counter North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s nuclear threats, and amid Yoon's six-day state visit to Washington to mark the 70th anniversary of the U.S. and South Korea's alliance.

The South Korean President's visit also included an opportunity to address a joint meeting of Congress on Thursday.

Despite the post-dinner entertainment and the guest stars, Yoon's performance was the talk of the night, with movie star Angelina Jolie among the guests who gave him a standing ovation.

"American Pie," which was written by Don McLean, has become a symbol of American popular culture and has been sung in karaoke bars and venues around the world.

The musical performance was a welcome change from the recent leak of classified Defense Department documents.

In an exclusive interview with NBC News, Yoon said that it will not affect the relationship between the two countries. As the South Korean president's visit continues, he has proven that he is not only a skilled politician, but a talented performer as well.

More from People

Pete Hegseth
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Hegseth Dragged After Report Reveals He Demanded His Own Makeup Studio At Pentagon

Hating drag queens and insisting on traditional gender roles is a Republican article of faith at this point.

So why is far-right MAGA Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who has tried to kick trans people out of the military, demanding that a makeup studio be added to the Pentagon press briefing room for him?

Keep Reading Show less
Backstreet Boys' Brian Littrell Pens Poignant Message After Son's 'American Idol' Elimination
John Parra/Getty Images; American Idol/Youtube

Backstreet Boy's Son Out

Proud dad and Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell replied to his son Baylee Littrell’s heartwarming goodbye post from this season’s American Idol.

22-year-old Baylee’s idol journey came to a close on Monday when he was cut from the Top 14 round.

Keep Reading Show less
Michelle Obama
Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP via Getty Images

Michelle Obama Opens Up About Why She Skipped Trump's Inauguration—And The 'Ridicule' She Faced

Former First Lady Michelle Obama attended the 2017 inauguration of former and current MAGA Republican President Donald Trump. But in 2025, after Trump's failed coup attempt and ramping up of White supremacist and Christian nationalist rhetoric, former Democratic President Barack Obama attended the second Trump inauguration solo.

While many speculated on why, Michelle Obama stayed relatively mum.

Keep Reading Show less
Nancy Mace; Ely Murray-Quick
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; @NancyMace/X

Man Who Nancy Mace Accused Of 'Harassing' Her In Ulta Store Speaks Out

South Carolina MAGA Republican Representative Nancy Mace—whose entire brand seems to be attacking people and then crying victim—is being exposed once again for embellishing reality to further her anti-LGBTQ+ agenda.

On April 19, Mace posted a video of her yelling obscenities at a constituent on her social media and later pinning it to the top of her feed. But like many who live in red districts, the man just wanted to know when Mace would hold a town hall to speak to voters.

Keep Reading Show less