Jesper Grønkjær Brings Magic—and Smiles—to One of the World’s Most Isolated Nations

 

Dutch magician and adventurer Jesper Grønkjær has built a career on a bold premise: no matter where you go in the world, a smile is universal.

Recently, Grønkjær put that belief to the test with a visit to North Korea—one of the most closed-off countries on Earth. The nation has only recently begun allowing limited tourism again following strict border closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, reopening select areas including its Special Economic Zone.

Grønkjær documented his journey in a video featured on the Freeport Traveler YouTube channel, opening with a powerful idea:

“I’ve spent my life proving one universal truth: a smile is the shortest distance between all people on Earth.”

Performing Under Restrictions

While in North Korea, Grønkjær traveled under close supervision, accompanied by government-appointed guides. Like many visitors to the country, he experienced strict controls on movement and communication throughout his stay.

Despite those limitations, Grønkjær focused on what he does best—connecting with people through magic.

Using colorful balloon animals, red sponge balls, card effects, and even a stuffed ferret as part of his playful act, he performed for both children and adults. His goal wasn’t spectacle—it was human connection.

And it worked.

Video footage from the trip shows genuine laughter and broad smiles from spectators experiencing his magic firsthand.

A Magical Moment During “Day of the Sun”

During his visit, Grønkjær also witnessed North Korea’s annual “Day of the Sun” celebration at Kim Il-Sung Square. Held each April 15, the event marks the birthday of the country’s founding leader and features large public gatherings, performances, and ceremonies.

For Grønkjær, the cultural setting added context to his mission: to see whether wonder could cross even the most rigid boundaries.

A Career Built on Adventure

North Korea is just one stop on Grønkjær’s long list of unconventional performance locations.

Over the past two decades, he has performed for:

• Indigenous communities in Peru, including descendants of the Inca in the Andes

• Maasai warriors in Tanzania

• Orphanages in Uganda

• Remote regions of Irian Jaya

• The ice caps of Greenland

• And even the Las Vegas Strip

These global journeys often become material for his lectures, articles, and Danish television appearances.

When he’s home in Denmark, Grønkjær maintains a demanding performance schedule—appearing more than 225 nights a year at family events, weddings, circuses, and corporate functions.

The Universal Language of Wonder

In a world that often feels divided by politics, geography, and culture, Grønkjær’s work highlights something magicians have long understood: wonder translates.

No matter the language, background, or belief system, the shared experience of astonishment can create a fleeting—but powerful—moment of unity.

Grønkjær’s North Korea performance wasn’t about making a statement. It was about demonstrating that even in tightly controlled environments, joy can still surface.

For working magicians everywhere, it’s a reminder that sometimes the real trick isn’t the method—it’s the human connection.

Kevin Li Goes Viral After Creating Magic for a Vision-Impaired Fan

Professional magician Kevin Li has built a reputation for dazzling audiences with refined sleight of hand, earning praise from celebrities and even industry legends like Penn & Teller.

But according to Li, one of his most meaningful performances wasn’t in front of a sold-out theater. It was for a single spectator who might typically be left out of a visual art form.

In a TikTok video that has since gone viral, Li approaches a vision-impaired man and offers to perform a magic trick. The man politely declines at first, explaining, “I’m blind, so the magic won’t work for me.”

Without hesitation, Li responds, “I really want you to experience the magic right now. So let’s try something.”

Magic You Can Feel

Instead of relying on sight, Li placed a quarter in the man’s hand and guided him through a tactile, imagination-driven experience.

“Imagine this coin is made out of rubber, and it’s getting warmer,” Li instructed.

Moments later, smoke began rising from the man’s clasped hands, drawing gasps from the surrounding crowd.

“Do you feel it warming up?” Li asked.

“It’s warming up!” the man replied, clearly surprised.

Encouraged to imagine the coin growing softer and softer, the spectator finally opened his hands — revealing that the quarter had transformed into a flexible rubber version.

“That’s yours to keep forever,” Li told him.

Li later captioned the video: “There’s always a way to experience magic.”

The Magic Community Responds

The clip quickly gained traction online, with viewers praising Li’s ability to adapt in real time and make magic more inclusive.

One commenter wrote, “The real magic is how quickly you pivoted to make this work for him. Amazing.”

A fellow magician added, “I’ve been doing magic for a long time — this is hands down my favorite thing I’ve seen in the magic community.”

The video also sparked an interesting question from viewers: Are there blind magicians?

Li himself pointed out one of the most respected card technicians in the world — Richard Turner, who has been legally blind since childhood and is widely regarded as one of the greatest card mechanics alive.

In other words, no one has to miss out on magic.

More Than a Trick

Magic is often perceived as a purely visual art form. But at its core, it’s about wonder — and wonder can be created through touch, imagination, and human connection just as powerfully as through sight.

Li’s performance serves as a reminder to performers everywhere: sometimes the strongest magic isn’t the method — it’s the moment.

Turning quarters into rubber is impressive.

Turning hesitation into joy?

That might be the real miracle.

 

Chris Cox does some Mind Reading on Killer Magic on BBC Three

 

Steven Brundage on Fool Us

 

From Grumpy Magician to Global Star: The Rise of Piff the Magic Dragon

 

Source: SouthJersey.Media — adapted for Magic News coverage

Have you heard the one about how a slightly cheesy dragon costume transformed a notoriously unpleasant young man into one of the most successful comedy magicians in the world?

That, in essence, is the story of Piff the Magic Dragon, the stage persona of British magician John van der Put, who recently brought his sold-out show to Rivers Casino Philadelphia.

A Spark of Magic

Like many magicians, van der Put discovered magic at a young age. Growing up in London, he first encountered it as a teenager at an outdoor festival resembling a Renaissance fair. A jester demonstrated the classic linking rings, then handed them to the young van der Put—who immediately performed the effect himself.

“I guess I’m magic,” he remembers thinking.

Yet magic didn’t instantly enchant him. While he loved the reaction it created in audiences, he found the mechanics behind the illusions disappointing. Still, he continued performing, motivated by the joy it brought others—even if he admits he wasn’t exactly spreading much joy himself.

Fired… Repeatedly

By his own account, van der Put struggled socially and professionally in his early career.

“I was being fired everywhere,” he has said. “I was too grumpy.”

Booked for weddings and events, he found it difficult to hide his true feelings, often coming across as miserable. The result was a string of lost jobs and stalled momentum—until a last-minute costume decision changed everything.

Enter the Dragon

Borrowing what he describes as a “lizardy, reptile-ish creature” costume owned by his sister, van der Put attended a party dressed as a dragon. The reaction was immediate and overwhelming.

“Everyone said, ‘This is it. You should just do this,’” he recalls.

The costume did more than create laughs—it gave him freedom. Behind the mask, he felt liberated to speak honestly, sarcastically, and humorously, without fear of alienating audiences.

“When you’re in a dragon outfit,” he explains, “you can’t punch down.”

The dragon persona allowed him to exaggerate his natural wit while softening its edge, creating the perfect blend of comedy and magic.

American Breakthrough

While his career gained traction in the U.K., van der Put’s biggest breakthroughs came in the United States. In 2011, he appeared on the first season of Penn & Teller: Fool Us, earning the endorsement and mentorship of Penn & Teller. He is now managed by their longtime manager, Glenn Alai.

His profile rose even higher in 2015 when he became a finalist on America’s Got Talent. Although he didn’t win the competition, that same year he landed a residency at the Flamingo Las Vegas—now entering its 11th year.

Mr. Piffles and an Unusual Decision

Piff’s act is far from a solo performance. He is joined onstage by Jade Simone—his wife and longtime collaborator—and, famously, by Mr. Piffles, the chihuahua who became a central part of the show.

When the original Mr. Piffles passed away in 2024, van der Put made headlines by having the dog cloned. Even Penn Jillette reportedly warned him it was a terrible idea.

“It worked flawlessly,” van der Put says. “So well that we did it again.”

Today, two cloned Piffles appear in the show, dressed in their own dragon-inspired costumes—one of whom appeared in Philadelphia.

What’s Next for the Dragon?

Despite his long-running Las Vegas success, van der Put shows no signs of slowing down. He has hinted at future television projects, a feature film, and even a Broadway musical, though details remain under wraps.

Summing up his career at this stage, he offers a line only a dragon could deliver:

“It’s an interesting time to be a dragon.”

Magician Turned Entrepreneur Dmitry Kim Speaks at TEDxOxford

 

Originally reported by Open.kg. Rewritten here for Magic News coverage.

At the internationally recognized TEDxOxford conference, former professional illusionist and entrepreneur Dmitry Kim took the stage as one of this year’s featured speakers. Kim shared the news of his appearance in an interview with the editorial team at Open.kg.

TEDxOxford is considered one of the most respected independently organized TEDx events worldwide. This year’s conference featured 12 speakers presenting to an audience of approximately 500 attendees, including scientists, students, and international guests. The event concluded on February 22 at the historic Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford, with Kim delivering the final talk of the day.

In his presentation, titled “Who Else Could You Become?”, Kim explored themes of personal reinvention and professional transformation. Drawing from his own life, he discussed the difficult transition he faced after the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to step away from his career as a performing illusionist and pivot toward entrepreneurship.

Kim emphasized that many people limit themselves by identifying with only one profession, often overlooking their ability to grow and succeed in entirely new fields. His talk encouraged experimentation, continuous learning, and the courage to acquire new skills—ideas that resonated strongly with the diverse audience.

Other speakers at the conference included business leaders, scientists, and public figures working in technology, environmental science, and investment sectors.

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From Illusionist to Entrepreneur

Dmitry Kim is a well-known figure in Kyrgyzstan, having built a career as both an illusionist and an entrepreneur. Before 2020, he performed in international illusion competitions and presented more than 1,000 live magic shows. Following the pandemic, Kim shifted his focus to business and founded an agency in Bishkek specializing in organizing dates and marriage proposals.

In addition to his entrepreneurial work, Kim is an active blogger focused on personal development. He also runs a YouTube channel dedicated to wristwatches, which has gained more than 55,000 subscribers and accumulated over 10 million views.

His appearance at TEDxOxford marks a major milestone in his career and represents one of the largest international public speaking engagements by a representative from Kyrgyzstan—highlighting how skills developed through magic and performance can translate far beyond the stage.

Epstein Files Reference Well-Known Magicians, Journalist Reports

 

Originally reported by The Irish Times. Rewritten here for Magic News coverage.

Recently released documents related to Jeffrey Epstein have drawn renewed media attention, including references to several figures from the world of magic. The files, made public by the U.S. Department of Justice earlier this month, reveal that Epstein—who was convicted of child sex offenses—had a long-standing interest in magicians and maintained correspondence with some high-profile performers.

According to reporting by Naomi O’Leary of The Irish Times, the documents include emails indicating a years-long relationship between Epstein and David Blaine, as well as records referencing an FBI investigation involving allegations of sexual misconduct against David Copperfield.

O’Leary notes that navigating the released files is challenging. The archive is vast, difficult to search, and organized in a way that makes systematic review time-consuming. Journalists worldwide have only been able to examine a small portion of the total material so far.

In her reporting and subsequent discussion, O’Leary explains that Epstein appeared to have a particular fascination with magicians, consistent with his broader pattern of seeking relationships with influential and high-profile individuals across multiple industries. The emails uncovered suggest continued contact with figures in the entertainment world even after Epstein had served prison time for soliciting sex from minors.

It is important to emphasize that being named or referenced in the Epstein files does not, by itself, indicate wrongdoing. The documents reflect correspondence, contacts, or investigative references and should not be interpreted as proof of criminal behavior.

As more journalists continue to review the extensive archive, additional context and clarification may emerge. For now, the revelations underscore both the scope of Epstein’s network and the complexity of responsibly reporting on material drawn from such a disturbing and incomplete record.

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Source Credit:
This article is based on reporting by Naomi O’Leary for The Irish Times. Presented by Bernice Harrison and produced by Suzanne Brennan.