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Golden Melody Awards: 191cm Bassist James Lee Wows Audience, Identity Revealed

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Musician James Lee, the 191cm bassist for Karen Mok's performance at the Golden Melody Awards, gained significant attention online.
  • Lee, a Korean-American artist, is a former member of the band Royal Pirates and previously suffered a severe hand injury.
  • He has since overcome his injury and depression, rebuilding his music career and collaborating with various artists.

A striking 191cm bassist accompanying singer Karen Mok at the Golden Melody Awards has become an internet sensation, captivating audiences with his imposing presence and striking looks. The musician, identified as Korean-American artist James Lee, quickly drew widespread attention and sparked a fervent online search for his identity.

Lee, who previously served as the bassist for the South Korean rock band Royal Pirates, was once on a promising path in the entertainment industry. However, his career was dramatically interrupted in 2015 by a severe accident where falling glass from a restaurant shattered his left hand, causing a near-complete separation of bone and tissue.

Following five difficult reconstructive surgeries, Lee was forced to leave his band. The incident plunged him into a deep depression, marked by severe insomnia and a reliance on psychiatric care. With immense willpower and the support of family and friends, he gradually emerged from this dark period, channeling his harrowing experience into his personal music.

Lee's talent and extensive network within the South Korean entertainment industry have led to numerous collaborations. He successfully crowdfunded a new album, exceeding his goal by 300% in just three days, with support from notable figures like Lee Min-ho and Super Junior's Siwon. Former Girls' Generation member Sooyoung was particularly supportive, actively promoting his music and even performing a duet with him without seeking compensation.

Having overcome the trauma of his injury, Lee has shifted his focus to the Chinese music scene. Now a versatile artist who raps, sings, and plays instruments, his recent performance with Mok in the band 'The Masters' at the Golden Melody Awards has solidified his growing popularity among Taiwanese audiences.

She would set an alarm every day to post on Instagram to promote him, and even sang a duet with him without asking for any compensation, showing her loyalty.

โ€” James LeeDescribing the unwavering support from former Girls' Generation member Sooyoung.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.