Korean Magicians Are Taking Over: Hundred Fingers, AGT and the Rise of K-Magic
From Hundred Fingers' two Golden Buzzers on AGT 2026 to the creators behind today's best-selling tricks: why Korean magic is taking over.
By The Online Magic Store
· 2 min read
In this story 6 sections
South Korean magicians are having a breakout moment. In 2026, the Seoul-based magic group Hundred Fingers finished third on America's Got Talent after earning two Golden Buzzers, and Korean-connected creators are behind some of today's most popular manipulation courses and magic products. Their signature: precise technique, tight choreography, and highly visual card and ball manipulation that looks incredible on camera.
Hundred Fingers on AGT 2026
Hundred Fingers is a team of ten Korean magicians led by Yu Hojin, a FISM Grand Prix winner and champion of the Korean TV competition The Magic Star. Yu first appeared on AGT in Season 17, then returned in 2026 with an entirely new idea: a magic "supergroup" performing perfectly synchronized manipulation.
It worked. Howie Mandel awarded them his Golden Buzzer at the auditions, then pressed it again during the live quarterfinals, sending them straight to the final. They finished third overall. For a full recap of the season, read our guide to magicians on AGT, BGT and Fool Us.
What makes the Korean style distinctive
- Precision. Card and ball manipulation is executed with extraordinary control.
- Visual first. Effects are built to read instantly, which is why they travel so well on social media.
- Performance as choreography. Movement, music, and timing are treated as carefully as the method.
- Competition pedigree. Manipulation is a FISM competition category, and top performers in this style regularly place at the world championships.
Learn manipulation from a FISM medalist: Eden Choi
If Hundred Fingers made you want to learn manipulation, Eden Choi is one of the best teachers in the style. He won the Silver medal in the Manipulation category at FISM 2022, and his manipulation performances have built a following of more than a million on TikTok. You may also know him from our story on Shin Lim and Eden Choi.
His courses cover both card and ball manipulation, and they're streaming, so you can start today:
| Course | Focus | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Express Basics: Card | Card manipulation fundamentals in about an hour | Beginner |
| Express Basics: Balls | Ball manipulation fundamentals in about an hour | Beginner |
| Logic (with Airel) | Ball manipulation: 57 techniques across 12 routines | Beginner-friendly |
| Logic 2 | A complete foundation in card manipulation | Beginner to intermediate |
| Skill One | Three ball-manipulation routines | Intermediate |
| Skill Two | Visual card manipulation | Intermediate |
| Pathfinder | Eden's advanced manipulation material | Advanced |
| Atria Lapse | Gimmick plus extremely difficult technique | Advanced |
Where to start: choose Express Basics (Card or Balls) to try the style for under $10, then move on to Logic or Logic 2 for a full foundation.
More Korean-created magic you can perform
- PADO by MJ: a card-switch gimmick designed to be performed live with the audience right in front of you. It was one of our best-selling tricks of 2026.
- The Starry Night: the first release in MJ's Art Series.
- Flashtrix 2.0 by MJ.
Card manipulation vs. card magic
Manipulation is a distinct style from everyday card tricks: productions, fans, vanishes, and colour changes, often performed silently to music. Read card magic vs cardistry vs card manipulation to understand the difference, and how to practise magic to build the daily habit manipulation demands.
Frequently asked questions
Who are Hundred Fingers?
Hundred Fingers is a group of ten Korean magicians led by Yu Hojin. They finished third on America's Got Talent Season 21 in 2026 after receiving two Golden Buzzers from Howie Mandel.
Who is Yu Hojin?
Yu Hojin is a Korean magician, a FISM Grand Prix winner and a champion of the Korean TV competition The Magic Star. He leads Hundred Fingers.
How can I learn card and ball manipulation?
Start with a structured beginner course, such as Eden Choi's Express Basics series for cards or balls, then progress to a full foundation course like Logic or Logic 2.
Who is Eden Choi?
Eden Choi is a manipulation magician who won the Silver medal in the Manipulation category at FISM 2022. He teaches card and ball manipulation through courses including Logic, Logic 2, Skill One and Skill Two.
