"They pushed me to refine my improvisational skills, and I learned to spin any unexpected scenario to my advantage," Li said.
In 2020, the outbreak of COVID-19 temporarily shuttered the bar and Li made a decision to study abroad, meet more magicians, and further hone his skills.
He was admitted to Goldsmiths, University of London, for a master's degree in theater production. And he applied everything he learned about lighting, sound, and programming, to his magic, performed whenever he could, practiced his English, and learning to adapt to a Western audience.
For Li, the invitation from Magic Castle was the natural culmination of his 14-year struggle. Each show there brought rave reviews from diverse crowds, including magic legends, movie stars, and globetrotting patrons who hailed his feats as "beyond imagination" and "unparalleled".
Still, Li's drive was unrestrained, with him dreaming of becoming a regular performer at the castle and curating his customized show there one day.
"I will never forget my original intention to perform magic: sharing the feeling of wonder with more people," Li said.
Li's fellow Chinese magician, 23-year-old Shao Qinwei, was also on stage for magic week.
Shao's fascination with magic was also sparked by Lu Chen.
Joining his high school magic club at 15, his skills grew quickly and at 17 he relocated to the US to further his studies.
Through the introduction of a fellow magic hobbyist, Shao visited the Magic Castle soon after.
"It was as if I had found my true home," Shao said, noting he was able to connect with top magicians and learn from them and he signed up to be an official magician member of the castle, after passing a rigorous audition process.
In June 2022, he got his first invitation to perform at the Magic Castle. In the second half of the year, he was performing there three or four times a week on open mic nights. He saw each performance as an opportunity to fine-tune his act and study audience reactions.
Tricks that elicited positive responses were kept while less impactful elements were tweaked or discarded.
"The scariest thing is when the audience doesn't react at all." Shao said, "But you have to carry on."
After countless performances, Shao identified ways to maximize audience reaction and discovered his unique style.
Embracing his true self, he crafted a distinct persona, that of an innocent, shy geek without romantic experience who has an unrequited longing for Taylor Swift. Based on this quirky image, he meticulously scripted and refined his act, weaving a comedic touch into his performances.
Shao's Magic Castle full stage debut in 2023 won him praise from audiences and magicians alike and his strong personal style led to another invitation from the castle for Asia Magic Week. Once again, his charisma earned rave reviews.
