He is the first Korean magician to take first prize in general magic at the 23rd FISM World Championships of Magic last year. The number of professional magicians here has jumped 100-fold since he debuted in 1996, drawing more than 2 million fans. After getting first grade in the physical exam for mandatory military service, he joked that not even magic could exempt him from military service. Asked if his skills will boost the combat capabilities of the Korean Navy, Lee laughs out loud. He used to regret that he wasn’t exempted from military service although he won the FISM Championships. “Maybe it’s because people don’t take magic seriously. I’m concerned I’ll lose my skills and go backward,” he said then. But the 26-year old is a positive-minded person. “After working as a professional magician for the last 10 years, I felt I need time to charge my batteries. I’m relieved to think that I’ll be able to study more magic” during the 24-months of military service.

Lee is the Navy’s third magician. He will participate in domestic and international goodwill events and perform for fellow soldiers and the public. The Navy welcomed Lee’s enrollment. He will stage the magic show “The Lee Eun-gyeol” in Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Ulsan, Daejeon and Chnagwon in February and March. His last performance as a civilian is “The World’s Greatest Magic Show”, to be held Apr. 2-15, in Las Vegas, the U. S., where, as one of six international performers, he will present an eight-minute segment. Although he has no show schedule, he will be busy in May gearing up for military life and savoring the last minutes with his girlfriend of three years. “I like short hair. I look forward to captivating fellow soldiers, children and the elderly on the small stage for 24 months,” Lee says.

(englishnews@chosun.com )