South Korea’s Yoon sings ‘American Pie’ at White House state dinner

President Yoon Suk Yeol sings.

After a festive White House dinner on Wednesday, President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, President Yoon, and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, moved from the East Room to the State Dining Room for a Broadway musical performance.

After Broadway artists Norm Lewis, Lea Salonga, and Jessica Vosk sang many soaring compositions, including parts from “Les Miserables” and “Funny Girl,” Jill Biden offered a special encore: a serenade by the performers of “American Pie,” a Yoon favorite.

It continued. After the performers, President Biden and President Yoon joined the stage, and Biden urged Yoon to sing because he loves the song.

Yoon did just that, taking a mic and singing the first stanzas of the song in English and in tune for an astonished Biden and a thrilled crowd, including Angelina Jolie.

“Something touched me deep inside, the day the music died,” he concluded to a standing ovation and thunderous applause from the audience and Broadway performers remaining on stage.

Biden gave Yoon a guitar signed by songwriter Don McLean after telling him he had “no damn idea” he could sing.