DNCE guitarist Lee Jin-joo realises dream
SEOUL: American pop-rock band DNCE held its first concert in Seoul on Wednesday, a performance made special for both the group and its audience by serving as a homecoming of sorts for the group’s Korean member, guitarist Lee Jin-joo.
The only woman in the fourmember band, Lee seemed immeasurably happy to be home and performing in what might be described as a glorious return.
“I went to the US alone 10 years ago. I couldn’t even speak English back then. Whenever I felt lonely and things were tough, I imagined a moment. And this is the moment,” Lee told the audience of 2,000 that filled the concert hall.
“There were many times when, feeling frustrated and helpless, I wanted to come home, but picturing myself on stage in Korea helped me to keep going,” she said.
Born in Incheon in 1987, Lee began teaching herself guitar at the age of 12 and went to the US to further her musical education when she was 19.
While studying at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, she got her first career break, joining a group of session musicians for Jordin Sparks, the winner of the sixth season of “American Idol.” She later played for pop duo, the Jonas Brothers, which led to her joining DNCE when it was formed by Joe Jonas in 2015.
The band’s music, a blend of funk rock, disco and Eurodance, went down well with the Korean audience, and Lee was overjoyed to see them singing along throughout the show.