Illusionist Lee Eun-gyeol combined technology and performance such as video·lighting·large objects to deliver an experiential show that goes beyond "magic to watch."
Lee Eun-gyeol's "ONE OF ONE," presented to mark his 30th anniversary, opened on the 22nd at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts' main theater in Seoul and is meeting audiences as a new form of illusion performance that combines magic with video, music, lighting and large stage equipment.
"ONE OF ONE" is a special 30th anniversary show that condenses the performance world Lee Eun-gyeol has built over 30 years onto one stage. The production explained that the title "ONE OF ONE" means "'ONE' as the one and only original stage (Origin), an experience that will not be repeated (Nevermore), and a special edition (Edition) that condenses 30 years of best work."
The scale and imagery of the stage that audiences experience are more impressive than the magic 'trick' itself. The performance unfolds in a way that blurs the boundary between reality and fantasy as the screen and the actual stage are consolidated, and large objects, lighting·video technology combine with the performance. Reactions continue to praise the stage composition that feels like experiencing a single story and space, going beyond the mere wonder of magic that appears before one's eyes.
Lee Eun-gyeol, who began performing magic in 1996, raised the status of Korean magic by achieving results at international competitions, and since then has presented shows that move away from merely listing magic techniques to combine music, lighting, video, narrative and stage direction. His career, which broadened the scope of Korean magic, including second overall at the FISM World Championships of Magic in 2003 and winning the general category in 2006, also provided the foundation for this 30th anniversary performance.
Rather than simply replaying past popular repertoire, he reconstructs them into new scenes by adding scale and technology suited to large venues, summing up 30 years while also showing the direction for the future.
Lee Eun-gyeol said, "Over the past 30 years, instead of using magic tools made by others, I have invested time and expense to create scenes that do not exist in the world," and added, "As an illusionist, I will continue to expand my boundaries so that audiences, after watching the show, do not simply feel 'wonder,' but can take away their own emotions and images."
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