© 2026 ABC News

\"PHOTO:
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
PHOTO: President Joe Biden embraces South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol onstage during a state dinner at the White House, April 26, 2023.
>

\"The next state dinner we're going to have,\" Biden, who energetically pumped his fists during the performance, said, putting his arm around Yoon, \"you're looking at the entertainment.\"

Biden added, \"I had no damn idea you could sing.\" But he, evidently, did have an idea -- at least of Yoon's love for the song.

Following the performance, he told Yoon: \"I understand that you like the guitar as well,\" then gifted him an autographed acoustic guitar from Don McLean himself.

\"PHOTO:
Susan Walsh/AP
PHOTO: President Joe Biden surprises South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol with a guitar signed by Don McLean in the State Dining Room of the White House, April 26, 2023, following the state dinner.
>
\"PHOTO:
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
PHOTO: President Joe Biden gives a gift of a guitar signed by artist Don McLean to South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol at an official state dinner at the White House in April 26, 2023.
>

The entertainment portion of the event also showcased performances by singers Lea Salonga, Norm Lewis, and Jessica Voski performed a medley of five classic Broadway hits — \"This Is The Moment,\" \"Happy Days Are Here Again,\" \"On My Own,\" \"Don't Rain On My Parade,\" and \"Somewhere.\"

\"PHOTO:
Oliver Contreras/CNP via Polaris
PHOTO: President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea and President Joe Biden make a toast during the State Dinner held in the East Room of The White House, April 26, 2023.
>

The dinner followed Biden and Yoon's bilateral meeting in the Oval Office on Wednesday, during which the pair discussed working together to deter North Korea's nuclear threats, promote peace in the Taiwan straits, stand with Ukraine amid Russia's invasion and more.

Yoon's state visit this week also marks the 70th anniversary of the U.S. and South Korea's alliance, forged in the aftermath of the Korean War.

\"PHOTO:
Leah Millis/Reuters
PHOTO: South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a joint news conference with U.S. President Joe Biden in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, U.S. April 26, 2023.
>
\"PHOTO:
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
PHOTO: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee stand with President Joe Biden first lady Jill Biden before a state dinner at the White House, April 26, 2023.
>

The light-hearted moment and other festivities at the State Dinner took place against the backdrop of diplomatic and economic tensions between the countries.

A recent leak of classified U.S. intelligence documents seemingly showed Washington was spying on South Korea's leadership. Yoon downplayed the spying suggestion during Wednesday's press conference, stating the two nations are in communication and are \"sharing necessary information\" as the U.S. investigation into documents' disclosure plays out.

ABC News' Alexandra Hutzler contributed to this report.

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