From Lee Eun-gyeol Partner to Magician, Elena's Dream

From Lee Eun-gyeol's Assistant to Stage Protagonist

Elena, originally from Ukraine, is moving toward a new dream of becoming a magician in Korea. In the KBS 1TV program 'Neighbor Charles' aired on June 23, 2026, the life of Elena, who serves as illusionist Lee Eun-gyeol's partner and a member of his performance crew, was portrayed. Now in her ninth year of living in Korea, Elena has established herself as a core member of the performance team, handling everything from preparing magic costumes to stage setting and prop production. She also plays a role in overwhelming the audience with mysterious performances on stage.

Four Years of Collaboration, Reborn as a Professional Crew Member

Elena has been working alongside Lee Eun-gyeol for four years. In an interview, she revealed, "At first, I started as a beautiful partner, but since two years ago, I have been working as a crew member as well." During the performance rehearsal process, Elena showed her attention to detail by emphasizing the importance of stage costumes. She said, "Stage costumes are extremely important in magic. There are so many details that you have to pay close attention." When the production team asked why magicians wear black clothes, Elena burst into laughter, saying, "I can't tell you because magic tricks are a secret."

Elena is growing by learning delicate stage techniques, such as acting, from Lee Eun-gyeol. Mentioning, "I am learning a lot from Lee Eun-gyeol," she expressed high satisfaction, calling the experience of working with Korean magic storylines, costumes, and lighting configurations "the best experience." Her ultimate goal is to create a stage of comprehensive art.

The Pain of War and Longing for Family

Behind Elena's bright appearance lies a longing for her family. Currently, her father is participating in the war in Ukraine. For Elena, living in a foreign country, her family is her most precious existence. In 2025, thanks to the consideration of her performance crew, Elena was able to visit her hometown in Ukraine for the first time in four years and reunite with her parents.

First Solo Performance, a Step Toward Her Dream

Starting her life in Korea in 2017 as an amusement park dancer, Elena developed the goal of becoming an artist who creates 'comprehensive art stages' after meeting Lee Eun-gyeol. To achieve this, she would stay alone in the practice room even after the other crew members had left, repeatedly practicing her Korean lines and stage movements. Finally, at her first solo performance held at a magic bar, Elena delivered a successful performance. Immediately after the show, she shared her thoughts, saying, "The cheers from the people allow me to keep performing even when it's hard. Seeing the happy audience makes me want to stand on stage even more."