Changing of the guard plays 'Gangnam Style' outside Buckingham Palace

Tourists outside Buckingham Palace were today surprised by the unexpected sound of K-pop during the Changing of the Guard, as the military played songs including Gangnam Style to honour guests from South Korea.
The Band of the Coldstream Guards played two K-Pop songs in honour of the President and First Lady of South Korea, as well as diplomatic guests who last night dined at the palace.
Tourists, and those working at the palace, heard Gangnam Style by Psy, the 2012 song which sparked a galloping dance craze, and Ddu-Du, Ddu-Du by Blackpink.
The performance and investiture follows 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 name-check.
“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 U.K.’s Presidency of COP 26, and later as advocates for the U.N. 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!”
President Yoon Suk Yeol is a known fan of pop music and karaoke who serenaded Joe Biden with his version of American Pie during a similar state visit to the White House.
#kpop #southkorea #royal
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