Lee Eun Gyeol, one of South Korea’s most famous illusionists, is celebrating three decades in the business with a special performance called “ONE OF ONE.” The show opened on August 22 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Grand Theater in Seoul and will run until September 6. This is not just any magic show. It combines magic with video, music, lighting, and large stage devices to create something more like an experience than a simple performance.
What Makes ONE OF ONE So Special
The name “ONE OF ONE” carries a deep meaning. The production team explains that “ONE” stands for Origin (a one-of-a-kind original stage), Nevermore (an experience that will not be repeated), and Edition (a special edition that brings together the best of 30 years). This captures exactly what Lee Eun Gyeol wants to give his audience.
Instead of just showing magic tricks, the show creates a whole world on stage. Screens connect with the actual stage. Large objects, lighting, and video technology blend with the performance. The line between reality and fantasy becomes unclear. Audience members do not just watch magic happen. They step into a fantasy world where they can experience it themselves.
One of the most talked-about moments in the show involves a toy transforming into a real helicopter. Another scene shows a train bursting through the screen and speeding across the stage. These moments show the huge scale of this production.
A Career That Changed Korean Magic
Lee Eun Gyeol started his magic career in 1996. Before he came along, magic in Korea was often seen as just a short event or a simple party trick. He changed that by turning magic into a complete performance art. He mixed music, lighting, storytelling, and stage direction to create concert-style magic shows.
His success on the international stage helped raise the status of Korean magic worldwide. In 2003, he placed second overall at the FISM World Championship of Magic, the most respected competition in the magic world. Then in 2006, he won first place in the General category. These achievements made him the first Korean magician to reach such heights.
Lee Eun Gyeol prefers to call himself an “illusionist” rather than just a magician. He sees magic as a tool for expressing his ideas and creating emotions, not just as a way to show off tricks.
Behind the Scenes of the 30th Anniversary Show
Creating “ONE OF ONE” took a lot of work and money. Lee Eun Gyeol recently appeared on the tvN show “You Quiz on the Block” and shared that he has invested about 20 billion Korean won (roughly 200 billion won) in magic equipment over his career. He explained that when he imagines a scene in his head, he wants to own it and make it real.
For this 30th anniversary show, he brought in a team from Las Vegas to help with the technology. He traveled to Las Vegas himself for meetings with the team. He said they are preparing visual effects that look like something from a science fiction movie.
The show also features his most memorable moments from the past 30 years, but he did not simply repeat old routines. He rebuilt them with new technology and larger scale to fit the grand theater.
What Lee Eun Gyeol Says About the Show
Lee Eun Gyeol has spoken openly about his goals for this performance. He said:
“Over the past 30 years, instead of using magic tools created by others, I have invested my time and resources into creating scenes that never existed in the world before. As an illusionist, I will continue to expand my boundaries so that the audience doesn’t just stop at the feeling of ‘it’s amazing’ after watching the performance but can walk away with their own unique emotions and imagery.”
He also shared his thoughts on a recent radio appearance on MBC FM4U’s “Hope Song at Noon.” He talked about working with actor Ji Chang Wook on the drama “Annarasumanara.” He said Ji Chang Wook was worried about the magic scenes at first but practiced hard and performed perfectly.
Regarding the current show, Lee Eun Gyeol admitted he has been staying up almost every night to prepare. He said:
“I gathered only the climaxes from the concerts I’ve shown over the past 30 years. I am creating my own one-of-a-kind combination that has never been seen anywhere in the world. It’s not yet complete, but I am trying new models until the end.”
Ticket Sales and Audience Response
The demand for “ONE OF ONE” tickets has been very high. When tickets first went on sale on June 2 through Yes24 and Nol Ticket, they quickly reached number one in real-time reservations for the musical category. VIP seats and other top-tier seats sold out fast.
Fans have been sharing their excitement on social media and ticket pages. Many are looking forward to seeing the large-scale production that includes the Las Vegas team’s expertise.
The show is scheduled to run for about 120 minutes each performance. It is suitable for audiences aged 7 and above. Ticket prices range from 66,000 won for A-seats to 143,000 won for VIP seats.
Expanding Beyond Seoul
After the Seoul performances end, Lee Eun Gyeol will take “ONE OF ONE” to Busan. The Busan shows are scheduled from October 2 to October 4 at the BEXCO Auditorium. Tickets for the Busan performances are priced at 110,000 won for R-seats, 88,000 won for S-seats, and 66,000 won for A-seats.
This extension shows the strong demand for the show beyond the capital city.
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A Milestone in Korean Performance Art
Lee Eun Gyeol’s 30th anniversary is a big moment not just for him but for Korean performance art. He has performed at major venues including the National Theater, the Seoul Arts Center, and LG Art Center. Now with the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Grand Theater, he has completed what some call a “grand slam” of Korean performance venues.
His journey from a middle school student who started magic to overcome his shyness to an internationally recognized illusionist is remarkable. He has inspired many young magicians in Korea and shown that magic can be a serious art form.
The “ONE OF ONE” show represents everything he has learned and created over the past 30 years. It is a celebration of his past and a look at where he is going next.
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