Yoon woos White House with ‘American Pie’ rendition
“I had no damn idea you could sing,” Biden told the South Korean president.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol brought the White House down with his surprise rendition of Don McLean’s “American Pie” Wednesday night.
After a round of musical performances at the lavish state dinner, Yoon took the microphone.
“Long, long time ago,” he sang, immediately drawing shouts, applause and fist pumps from President Joe Biden. Despite asking Yoon to perform the song moments before, Biden looked around the room in apparent disbelief, pointing to the South Korean leader in approval.
“I had no damn idea you could sing,” Biden said afterwards.
Following the rendition, Yoon received a standing ovation from the room, which included guests such as Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo as well as numerous governors and members of Congress.
Biden also presented him with a fitting gift for the occasion: a guitar signed by McLean.