Watch: Changing of the Guard goes K-pop as military band plays Gangnam Style
Tourists outside Buckingham Palace were surprised on Wednesday by the unexpected sound of K-pop during the Changing of the Guard, as the military played songs including Gangnam Style to mark the South Korean state visit.
The band of the Coldstream Guards played two K-pop songs in honour of the president, first lady and diplomatic guests who had dined at the palace on Tuesday night.
Onlookers heard Gangnam Style by Psy, the 2012 song that sparked a galloping dance craze, and Ddu-Du, Ddu-Du by Blackpink.
The performance and investiture followed a warm speech from the King at the state banquet, in which he made multiple references to Korean pop culture.
He also acknowledged the four young female members of Blackpink, who attended the dinner and appeared delighted by their surprise namecheck.
“It is especially inspiring to see Korea’s younger generation embrace the [environmental] cause,” the King told his 171 guests at the state dinner.
“I applaud Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rosé, better known collectively as Blackpink, for their role in bringing the message of environmental sustainability to a global audience as ambassadors for the UK’s presidency of Cop26, and later as advocates for the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“I can only admire how they can prioritise these vital issues, as well as being global superstars.
“Sadly, when I was in Seoul all those years ago, I am not sure I developed much of what might be called the Gangnam Style.”
Yoon Suk Yeol, the South Korean president, who is known to be a fan of pop music and karaoke, previously serenaded Joe Biden, the US president, with his version of American Pie during a state visit to the White House earlier this year.
