President Lee Attends Stray Kids Concert in Mexico: "A Big Concert Was My Childhood Dream"

Meeting with 10 Local Youth Before the Concert
"Culture Connects Nations...May This Be a Lifelong Memory"
Audience Chants "Corea"
Spotlight on Presidential Couple, Shaping a Heart
First Lady Kim Hyekyung Waves a Light Stick in Response

On the 25th (local time), President Lee Jaemyung met with Mexican youth and emphasized the significance of Korea-Mexico cultural exchange facilitated by K-pop, saying, "Culture not only truly connects people to people, but also connects nations to each other."

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung are holding a meeting with Mexican K-POP youth fans at the GNP Stadium in Mexico City on the 25th (local time). 2026.9.26 Yonhap News Agency

President Lee, who is on a state visit to Mexico, held a meeting with 10 local youth at the GNP Stadium in Mexico City on the night of the 25th, just before the Stray Kids concert. After their talk with the youth, President Lee and First Lady Kim Hyekyung watched the concert together with them.

The meeting was held in a box seat that provided a panoramic view of both the stage and the audience. The phrase "K-Pop, Sharing Dreams, Bridging Cultures" was displayed on the walls and screens in both Korean and Spanish. Many of the invited youth said it was their first time visiting a large K-pop concert venue.

President Lee greeted the youth by saying, "Hola amigos (Hello, friends)." When the interpreter paused, he joked, "You don't really think I'm going to continue in Spanish, do you?" drawing laughter. President Lee said, "I am truly grateful that you all love Korea's K-pop so much," recalling his own childhood.

He added, "When I was young, my dream was also to go to a big concert hall and enjoy a performance, but I never got to fulfill that dream even at this age. Sometimes I wonder how my youth would have been different if I had lived out that dream." He continued, "You get to have that opportunity today, so congratulations. I hope today becomes a cherished memory for life and that you have a wonderful time at the concert."

First Lady Kim Hyekyung also said, "I hope tonight's concert will be an unforgettable night in your life," and added, "Thank you so much for loving Korea's K-pop."

The formal atmosphere quickly thawed when the conversation turned to their favorite Stray Kids members. When President Lee asked, "Why do you like K-pop?" the students at first looked shyly at each other. One student replied, "I learned about K-pop from a friend, and as I discovered not only Stray Kids but also other K-pop stars, I came to really enjoy it."

Then, First Lady Kim asked, "Is there a particular member of Stray Kids you like?" and five or six students quickly raised their hands. When the answer "Felix" was given, she laughed and said, "Oh, me too. Felix." The other students mentioned Seungmin, Bang Chan, and Hyunjin as their favorites. When First Lady Kim mentioned Bang Chan's fan nickname "Bangbaeji," a term used among fans, Park Jinyoung, Co-Chairman of the Korean Popular Culture Exchange Committee, also responded with apparent surprise.

The discussion extended to K-dramas. When the First Lady asked if anyone had watched Korean dramas besides K-pop, even Mexico's Minister of Culture, Claudia Curiel de Icaza, enthusiastically raised her hand. One student, talking about favorite Korean dramas, said, "I'm intrigued because I can learn about love and parting," causing laughter among the participants.

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung wave cheering sticks and greet local spectators at the Stray Kids concert held at the GNP Stadium in Mexico City on the 25th (local time). 2026.9.26 Yonhap News Photo by Yonhap

As President Lee and First Lady Kim appeared on the balcony of the concert hall with the youth after the meeting, a cheer of "Corea (Korea)" erupted from the audience. Together with the youth holding cheering sticks and Minister Curiel, President Lee and the First Lady shouted "Corea" and greeted the crowd.

When Co-Chairman Park Jinyoung introduced the presidential couple in Spanish, saying, "Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for loving and supporting K-pop more than anyone," the crowd again chanted "Corea." As the spotlight shone on the President and the First Lady, President Lee made a heart with his arms above his head, while First Lady Kim responded with a finger heart gesture, holding a cheering stick.

When Stray Kids appeared on stage, First Lady Kim stood up, waving her cheering stick and watching the show, while filming the stage and audience with her mobile phone. President Lee, from beside her, smiled or clapped as he watched. First Lady Kim also sat next to Minister Curiel, waving their cheering sticks and taking photos together. The event was attended by Choi Huiyoung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Lee Jaejung, Chairwoman of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee; Co-Chairman Park Jinyoung; and Minister Curiel, among others.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.