South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol closed out Wednesday’s state dinner by belting out a verse of the traditional music ‘American Pie’ as President Joe Biden admitted he can ‘barely speak’ – let alongside sing.
Biden invited Yoon to take the stage and sing the American traditional, which is Yoon’s favourite music. The American president even gave his South Korean counterpart a guitar signed by Don McLean, who wrote and initially carried out the hit tune.
After Yoon sang the primary verse – to a thunderous standing ovation, Biden, who’s well-known for making verbal gaffes, joked: ‘Do not count on me to sing it! I can barely speak.’
President Biden and first woman Jill Biden wrapped up their dinner for Yoon and his spouse Kim Keon-hee with a collection of broadway classics carried out by Broadway stars Norm Lewis, Lea Salonga and Jessica Vosk.
On the finish of a collection of musical theater classics – together with Completely happy Days are Right here Once more; On My Personal; and Do not Rain on My Parade – the trio of songs gave a efficiency of American Pie
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol closed out Wednesday’s state dinner by belting out a verse of the traditional music ‘American Pie’ as President Joe Biden stood beside him
Yoon clapped alongside and after their efficiency, Jill Biden pushed him up on stage, and President Biden requested him to sing.
‘We all know that is certainly one of your favourite songs, ‘American Pie,’ Biden mentioned to Yoon.
‘Sure, that is true,’ Yoon mentioned by way of a Korean translator. ‘Once I was going to highschool, it was certainly one of my favourite songs.’
‘We wish to hear you sing it,’ Biden mentioned.
‘It has been some time however…’ Yoon replied, earlier than singing the primary few stanzas.
Afterward, Biden informed Yoon: ‘The subsequent state dinner we’ll have you ever’re wanting on the leisure.’ And he informed his South Korean counterpart: ‘I had no rattling thought you might sing.’
Friendship and cooperation have been the theme of Yoon’s go to, which included a brand new army pact to counter the rising nuclear risk to North Korea; an Oval Workplace assembly between the 2 leaders; a proper welcome ceremony on the South Garden; and a go to to the Korean Heat memorial.
On the dinner, held within the East Room of the White Home below the lots of of cherry blossoms adorning the world, Biden toasted their relationship as ‘allies and buddies’ and Yoon described it as an ‘ironclad alliance,’ regardless of leaked paperwork suggesting the U.S. was spying on Seoul.
Among the many friends have been a number of well-known faces – Angelina Jolie and son Maddox, residence enchancment stars Chip and Joanna Gaines and one Congressional Republican – Sen. Mitt Romney, who voted in favor of former President Donald Trump‘s impeachments.
President Biden introduced President Yoon with a guitar signed by Don McLean
Angelina Jolie and her son Maddox benefit from the night’s leisure
President Joe Biden and first woman Jill Biden (proper) greeted south Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (middle left) and his spouse Kim Keon-hee (left) on the North Portico Wednesday evening for his or her second state dinner of the administration.
U.S. President Joe Biden, Norm Lewis, Lea Salonga and Jessica Vosk react as South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol sings American Pie
For the black-tie affair, Dr. Biden wore a mauve, lengthy sheath night robe by Reem Acra. Kim wore a protracted white skirt, white jacket, and gloves.
As friends entered by way of the Jacqueline Kennedy Rose Backyard, previous a handpainted display depicting a nature scene with American bison and Korean tigers – all expressed their pleasure on the being on the White Home.
However Angelian Jolie performed coy when requested what was subsequent after leaving her longtime put up on the United Nations, merely smiling for the row of cameras.
Eldest son Maddox answered ‘nice’ when requested about Seoul, as he is studied at Yonsei College. A supply near the actress informed DailyMail.com that ‘Angelina has visited South Korea many instances for her humanitarian and refugee advocacy over the previous twenty years, and as an artist. Angelina and Maddox are honored to attend this State Dinner.’
The actress wore a classic Chanel jacket and a costume made for her a few years in the past.
It was additionally a household affair, as Frank Biden, the president’s brother, and Meena Harris, Vice President Kamala Harris’ niece, have been on the visitor listing.
Frank Biden sped by the road of reporters masking the arrival, not stopping when requested how he would help with the president’s reelection bid – which was made official Tuesday.
‘Simply supporting once I can,’ Meena Harris replied when requested what position she would have within the 2024 marketing campaign.
Biden (proper) mentioned the connection with South Korea was with ‘allies and buddies’ as Yoon (left) described it as an ‘ironclad alliance,’ regardless of leaked paperwork suggesting the U.S. was spying on Seoul
President Joe Biden (left) shakes arms with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (proper) as he and Kim Keon-hee arrive at Wednesday’s state dinner
Angelina Jolie (left) and her son Maddox (proper) enter the state dinner Wednesday evening with South Korea. Jolie performed coy when requested what her subsequent trigger can be after leaving her longtime place on the United Nations
Chip (left) and Joanna Gaines (proper) reply questions from reporters as they enter Wednesday evening’s White Home state dinner with South Korea
The president’s brother Frank Biden (left) and Mindy Award (proper) swiftly walked by reporters who requested
‘Simply supporting once I can,’ mentioned Kamala Harris’ niece Meena Harris (proper) about her aunt’s 2024 reelection announcement, along with her date Nikolas Ajagu (left) as they arrive for Wednesday evening’s State Dinner with South Korea
Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim dazzled in a smoke-colored robe with giant flowers hooked up to it. ‘I did not put on my medal, I do not know the place it’s,’ Kim confessed to reporters masking the arrivals
Absent from the visitor listing was the president’s son Hunter, who attended the White Home’s first state dinner with France in December, however skipped the arrivals line.
Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim dazzled in a smoke-colored robe with giant flowers hooked up to it.
‘I did not put on my medal, I do not know the place it’s,’ Kim confessed to reporters masking the arrivals.
Lea Salonga, one of many three Broadway stars tapped to carry out on the dinner, answered ‘Belle. The books,’ when requested what Disney character Dr. Biden can be.
Salonga supplied the voice for each Princess Jasmine and Mulan.
Joanna Gaines laughed and answered ‘oh gosh no,’ when requested if she had any design recommendation for the White Home.
‘White interiors and exteriors is simply her factor,’ Chip Gaines chimed in.
Dr. Biden (proper) wore a mauve, lengthy sheath night robe by Reem Acra
Kim Keon-hee exits her motorcade Wednesday as she arrives on the White Home for the Biden administration’s state dinner with South Korea
Lea Salonga, one of many three Broadway stars tapped to carry out on the dinner, answered ‘Belle. The books,’ when requested what Disney character Dr. Biden can be. Salonga supplied the voice for each Princess Jasmine and Mulan
Jacob Snow (left) and Samantha Cohen (proper), the daughter of former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, attended the dinner
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (proper) commented that she was ‘shocked’ that she was tapped to be a Biden 2024 marketing campaign co-chair
The couple disregarded a query about Donald Trump holding his first Texas marketing campaign rally of their hometown of Waco.
‘No remark there,’ Chip Gaines mentioned laughing.
Romney informed reporters that he helps Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s debt invoice.
‘Completely. He is now laid out an inexpensive proposal. It is time for the White Home to barter. That is the way in which a two-party system works. Which is that they each have to return collectively and work out a compromise. That is what’s gotta be achieved now,’ Romney mentioned.
Whereas McCarthy was on the visitor listing for the primary state dinner, he was omitted on Wednesday.
Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer declined to cease for a chat in regards to the debt ceiling. He additionally did not fairly be a part of the costume code, sporting a navy blue enterprise go well with as a substitute of a tuxedo.
‘That is as tux-y as I get,’ he mentioned.
Plenty of Biden’s prime Democratic supporters have been invited to the dinner together with Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who was named 2024 marketing campaign co-chair this week.
She informed reporters she was ‘shocked’ by the ask however accepted it in a telephone name with the president earlier this week.
Duckworth represents Illinois and Chicago additionally gained the bid for the 2024 Democratic Nationwide Conference.
One other key ally, Sen. Mazie Hirono got here dressed sporting a standard blue and pink hanbok.
‘The entire purpose is to not journey on it,’ Hirono mentioned.
The Bidens (proper), Yoon (middle left) and Kim (left) pose throughout an arrival ceremony Wednesday night on the White Home state dinner with South Korea
Getting up for the toast, Biden remarked how he and Dr. Biden took Yoon and Kim to the Korean Conflict Veterans Memorial on the Nationwide Mall Tuesday evening, their first occasion as a foursome throughout this week’s state go to
Second gentleman Doug Emhoff (left) and Vice President Kamala Harris (middle left) speak with Maddox Jolie-Pitt (middle proper) and Angelina Jolie (proper) at Wednesday’s White Home state dinner
Jolie and the Gainses have been seated on the head desk, in addition to Kim, Romney and departing Amb. Susan Rice, who has been serving because the Director of the Home Coverage Council.
Getting up for the toast, Biden remarked how he and Dr. Biden took Yoon and Kim to the Korean Conflict Veterans Memorial on the Nationwide Mall Tuesday evening, their first occasion as a foursome throughout this week’s state go to.
‘As lots of you already know there’s an engraving that reads, ‘Our nation honors her little kids who answered the decision to defend a rustic they by no means knew and a individuals they by no means met,” Biden recited.
‘It is a solemn reminder that our alliance was born out of not shared borders however want. Shared beliefs – a perception in democracy, liberty, safety and above all, a mutual perception in freedom,’ the president continued.
Biden mentioned that the go to was ‘all about reaffirming all that unites our two nations.’
‘It is a couple of dedication to bear each other’s issues and hear to one another’s goals,’ he continued.
Biden needed to briefly search for a glass to toast with.
‘So please be a part of me – I am in search of one thing to toast with right here,’ he mentioned to laughs.
‘So please be a part of me – to our partnership, to our individuals, to potentialities – and to the way forward for the Republic of Korea and america that we’ll create collectively, perhaps we do it collectively for an additional 170 years,’ the president mentioned.
When it was Yoon’s flip, he knew the way in which to Biden’s coronary heart – by quoting an Irish poet.
However the audienced ‘awwwed’ at one other quote, mentioned by way of an English translator: ‘ good friend is sort of a four-leaf clover, fortunate to search out and good to have.’
‘As we speak will probably be remembered as a historic day the place the ROK-US alliance, like a 4 leaf clover, spreads its new roots, broad past the glory of the previous seventy years,’ Yoon mentioned.
Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer declined to cease for a chat in regards to the debt ceiling. ‘That is as tux-y as I get,’ he additionally mentioned, when a reporter famous that he was sporting his standard enterprise go well with and never a tuxedo