Today we’d like to introduce you to Luna Lee
Hi Luna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hello! My name is Luna Lee, and I am a musician who has reimagined the Gayageum, a traditional Korean instrument, in a completely new way.
I studied Gayageum performance from middle school all the way through my master’s degree in South Korea. After graduating, in 2009, I started uploading cover videos on YouTube just for fun, experimenting with different genres on my instrument.
What I didn’t expect was that my videos would introduce the Gayageum to so many people around the world who had never seen or heard it before. As my international following grew, people began requesting songs—songs they loved, songs that meant something to them. Through these requests, I discovered rock music, and it quickly became a passion of mine.
In 2013, I uploaded my cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child,” and it went viral. Today, that video has over 5 million views. The first version of my cover was included on my debut album, and last year, I released a second version as a single. At the time, I was receiving over 1,000 emails a day—messages full of support, excitement, and love for my music.
Voodoo Child: https://youtu.be/NfOHjeI-Bns?si=PTDIgWYzugA3myBD
Voodoo Child Prime: https://ffm.to/voodoochildprime
This overwhelming response inspired me to explore the connections between the guitar and the Gayageum. I began incorporating guitar techniques, experimenting with amps, pedals, and pickups, and gradually developing my own genre: “Gayageum Rock.”
Since my instrument is still unfamiliar to many people, I always include traditional Korean music in my performances as an introduction. However, reimagining well-known songs in my own style has been one of the most effective ways to showcase the unique beauty of the Gayageum and help audiences connect with it instantly.
Over the years, I’ve performed across the U.S., Europe, and India, playing both intimate shows and large festivals. A turning point in my career came in 2017 when I was invited to perform at SXSW in Austin. That performance introduced me to a much larger American audience, and since then, I’ve had incredible opportunities to perform at venues like Dodger Stadium and Disneyland. Eventually, my performances in the U.S. became so frequent that I decided to move to Los Angeles.
In 2019, I met my husband, and after getting married, we moved to Dallas, Texas, where I continue to push the boundaries of what the Gayageum can do.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Most of my fans have been following and supporting me for a long time, so they have a deep understanding of my instrument and musical style. Because of this, even when I perform unfamiliar genres, they easily recognize and appreciate how my instrument blends with the music. They resonate with and enjoy the unique fusion that my instrument brings.
However, introducing my music to people who are unfamiliar with my instrument remains a challenge. The visual aspect of my large instrument often evokes associations with traditional Eastern instruments or ethnic music. It’s difficult for some to imagine or understand how a traditional instrument like the Gayageum can merge so seamlessly with Western rock or pop music.
My busiest times are during Lunar New Year’s season and Asian Heritage Month (May). While my instrument may be perceived as inherently cultural or Asian, I hope to move beyond that and showcase my music as unique, with a world of its own, unlike anything else. I am truly the only person who is professionally modifying and developing the Gayageum, creating new tones akin to guitar sounds, and performing with it in this way.
I am incredibly grateful for the support from so many people that has allowed my music to grow and develop to this point. However, I, along with my fans, firmly believe that my music has the power to connect with an even broader audience, and we look forward to sharing it with the world.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to record more with the Gayageum, and one of the highlights of last year was my contribution to the Netflix TV show Cobra Kai Season 6. For one of the intense fight scenes, I recorded a track that created a dark, urgent atmosphere using my instrument, which felt like a true breakthrough moment for me.
Cobra Kai sound track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzWAC2dKTMk
While many people might not immediately think of the Gayageum as fitting into rock music, the more I perform, the more I realize that it blends surprisingly well with the genre. This realization has led to an increase in requests for rock-inspired performances and recordings. After performing at Dodger Stadium in 2017, I’ve been invited to play for various MLB teams every year, and songs like my cover of AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” and The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” have become fan favorites.
Thunderstruck: https://youtu.be/naEagcsjLNw?si=XC5m2IARX_ArsGOM
Seven Nation Army: https://youtu.be/2yziVlGK2AE?si=aiAk13ktDR9ur0xu
One of my most exciting upcoming performances is for Cleveland Guardians’ AAPI Night on May 30th, where I’ll be playing the National Anthem and “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the 7th inning stretch. I’m also in talks about a pre-game performance, and I’m determined to make this AAPI Night incredibly special with my unique interpretation.
The Gayageum is still an undiscovered treasure in the music world—its ability to complement various genres like classical, pop, K-pop, and even worship music makes it a hidden gem. I see it as my mission to share this instrument with the world, interpreting and blending it with genres in my own way, so that more and more people can discover its beauty.
As an artist, my ultimate challenge is to continue to carve out space for the Gayageum in the global music scene and find opportunities for collaboration across diverse genres. That’s what drives me forward.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I needed a platform where I could stay closely connected with my dedicated fans. These fans are not only passionate supporters but are like family to me, always there to support my musical journey unconditionally. To foster that closeness, I decided to start using Patreon.
Patreon is an app where fans can regularly support artists and creators, and it’s been such a fulfilling experience for me. What I love most about Patreon is the commitment it shows from the fans who join. The specific amount they contribute doesn’t matter to me; it’s the dedication behind their decision to support me and my music that means the most. Their commitment to helping me continue my craft is something I deeply appreciate, and it inspires me to work even harder to give back to them through my music.
https://www.patreon.com/lunalee
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lunaleemusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunagayageum/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lunaxmusic/
- Twitter: https://x.com/Lunaxmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@luna422422
- Other: https://www.patreon.com/lunalee
Image Credits
Stankwanphotos for the last 2 photos only.
