[Exclusive] Interview with Uprising YouTube Star Megan Lee!

Some might already be familiar with Megan Lee through her participation on MBC’s audition program “Birth of a Great Star,” or have come across one of her many videos on YouTube. Already active as a YouTube artist, she continually tries to stretch her boundaries as an artist. Currently preparing for her official debut, which is just around the corner, Megan Lee was gracious enough to set aside time from her VERY busy schedule (read the interview to find out) to share with us just her pretty awesome journey.

Here’s a quick bio, and scroll down for the interview. ^^

PROFILE
Name: Megan Lee
D.O.B: September 18,1995 in California, United States
Agency Label: Soulshop Entertainment
Appearances: “Birth of a Great Star” season 1 & 2

OFFICIAL SNS (hover over the links to go to the respective page)
YouTube Channel
Facebook
Twitter

ALBUM
* March 2011 – Love, Laugh & Live [Single]
* July 2011 – Destiny [Single]
* October 2011 – Destiny [Single]

FILM CAREER
* 2008 – Tranquility [Role: Sun Kim] – Short Film
* 2009 – Crush [Role: Jeremy's Sister]- Short Film
* 2010 – The Legend of Beaver Dam [Role: JuJu] – Short Film
* 2010 – The Case Against Jill [Role: Jill] – Short Film

AWARDS
* 2008 – Award of Merit (U.S.) for short film “Tranquility”
* 2009 – Orange County Youth Talent Competition (U.S.) {Winner: Vocal category}
* 2012 – Jason Mraz Cover Song Contest (organized by Warner Music Korea) {Winner}

Megan Lee posing with senior Kim Tae Woo

Q: What kind of promotional activities did you have in the U.S. before coming to Korea?
I became a child actress and model in the U.S. when I was ten years old. I took part in many various projects like television commercials, children programs, and short films. Afterwards, I became active on YouTube uploading music and covers. Through the exposure from the platform, I had the chance to open up for the LA Dodgers at the Dodger Stadium in Anaheim, California and also perform at other venues.

Q: How did you end up in South Korea?
Even though I was born and raised in the U.S., I really like Korea and I especially like K-Pop. I fell in love with the unique element of K-Pop lyrics and the appealing melodies that aren’t found in American pop music. After I got the chance to participate in an audition program that was aired on public television, I returned to the U.S. However, because of my greed and deep desire to study K-Pop, I persuaded my parents so that I can go back to South Korea. Right now, I’m under Soulshop Entertainment along with senior Kim Tae Woo and am currently training to get ready [for debut].

July 2011 || Nice Girls – Nice Guys Cover  feat. Justin Chon

Q: What made you start uploading videos onto YouTube and if there’s one you particularly remember?
I was 12 years old when I was in the U.S. modeling and acting when I ran across another YouTube artist’s music video on the platform. I thought it was really cool that one can be musically active and perform through the internet without being restricted to time. Because I always loved music and had a blast when I’m singing, I decided to give it a try and upload a video on YouTube. People who had the chance to look at my video left sincere words of encouragement on the page and via email. I was very encouraged with those words and grew a desire to touch a lot of people. That’s how I became active on YouTube for the past six years.

Q: How much interest did you receive through YouTube?
Out of the videos I’ve uploaded onto YouTube, I have more than four videos with over 2 to 10 million views. I already have over 206,440,000 total views on my YouTube channel and just the subscribers alone total more than 185,000. I’m always thankful because there are many people who are invested and cheering me on. I want to return their support with high quality music.

September 2010 || Justin Bieber – Somebody to Love

May 2011 ||  Bruno Mars – The Lazy Song 

Q: What’s your most popular video?
It’s probably a cover of Bruno Mars’ “The Lazy Song.” I had a blast making this video with other people and changed up the provocative lyrics so that it would be more wholesome and fit my style. That’s probably why I had fun singing it and a lot of people liked it. Another video would be Justin Bieber’s “Somebody to Love.” When I was recording the song, a lot of people showed interest because my voice back then sounded similar to Justin Bieber’s voice when he was younger. Because of that, my cover was played on many radio stations in the U.S. It was fascinating that my voice was being heard by many corners of the U.S. After that, I thought that it was possible to have my song, not a cover song, to be heard in the different areas of the U.S.

(Next page: Auditioning for a Korean audition program, moving to Korea, singing with Jason Mraz)

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