The performance followed agreements on DNA testing for victims of the 1942 Chosei coalmine disaster, cooperation against scam crimes and the launch of economic security talks. The joint performance was arranged after Takaichi recalled a comment Lee made during an earlier meeting in Gyeongju that learning to play the drums had been a lifelong dream.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung says he always wanted to play the drums, so Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi surprised him after a summit, and they hit it off.

NARA, Japan — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung played drums together on Tuesday after their summit talks in Nara, the capital of her home prefecture, in a surprise event showcasing their amicable personal relationship.

South Korea president Lee Jae Myung and Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi played drums together after their summit on Jan. 13. The two met for talks in Nara, which is Takaichi's hometown. This was the first time in 15 years that a Korean president had visited a Japanese city that was not Tokyo for a bilateral summit.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung visited Horyuji temple on Jan. 14, a day after playing a BTS song together on the drums.

South Korean president Lee Jae Myung had his work cut out, picking up his drumsticks alongside Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi, a former heavy metal drummer

Japan PM Sanae Takaichi & South Korea President Lee Jae Myung played the drums to 'Golden' & 'Dynamite' during a post-summit music session.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi played two K-pop songs during a post-summit drumming session with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.

The Japanese leader led the session by showing the South Korean president how to play the drums after their talks in Nara.