World's BEST Card Magician Shin Lim: His Incredible Journey To America's Got Talent WINS!

Just pick one. Anyone. Oh, you can see it. Okay. Can you write your name? Oh my god, by leaps and bounds is the best sleight-of-hand close-up magic I have ever seen in my life. I mean this was unbelievable. You have your first guess. You have your second guess, brother. I'm going to give you your third guess. I think there were what, 3,400 people in here? To master his art and get inspired, Shin turns to David Blaine. Now David Blaine used to upload his magic tricks on YouTube and Shin would watch them on repeat trying to figure out how it's done and then he would practice doing the same thing. Which is amazing because Shin now shares his content on YouTube and somehow inspires people and you can see the world of magic growing. Shin also spoke about how magic was this cheesy thing and even though it's still cheesy, David made it cool. And I think Shin made it cool with his hair flip and the way he does it and the music and his hand movement. But Shin actually credits learning a lot of magic to David. Hi Shin. Hello. Amazing first audition, by the way. Thank you very much. How have you prepared yourself for the next round? I practiced a whole ton. It's a tough act, so sleight-of-hand work. Well, I'm not going to ask too many questions because I like being surprised. Alright. Well, before I begin, I'm going to need one spectator. So, Olivia, if you wouldn't mind, can you please come up? Hi, Olivia. Good luck. Olivia, could you take your hand, this one, and cover it right over here? Make sure you don't move, okay? Bloody hell, Shin. Wow. That was spooky. Olivia, you were literally inches away. What happened? I still don't know. There was one card and there were four. That was my hand and it did not move. It was amazing. It was truly amazing. You're so gifted. Thank you. Heidi. Honestly, out of all the magicians out there, you're the only one that actually makes me believe that magic can be possible. Thank you so much. I don't know how else to say it. It's really like, it is mind-blowing what you do. Thank you. Thank you so much. Howie. You know, the last time I said, by leaps and bounds, you're the best close-up magic I ever saw. And this time was even more magical. You keep delivering. Young man, you keep delivering like that and you are going a long way. Thank you, Howie. Thank you so much. Well, you know what's going to happen today? Only seven acts go through out of 18. So, we'll see. Well done, Shin. Thanks, guys. He crunches them up and he opens his hands and they're gone. Before we move any further, here's a fun fact you have to know about Shin. He's actually a classically trained pianist. That word does sound weird when you say it because that is not how you read it. Just me, because I said it wrong all my life. Okay, but moving on. And Shin likes how piano and magic are all about technique and combining skill with hand movement. For him, magic and piano are actually the same thing and they go hand in hand, which is why one of his legendary performances actually had him starting his magic trick with a piano performance. Now, isn't that a combo? Do not blink. I mean, not even a little bit. Because if you do, you're going to miss just how amazing this magician is. He's Shin Lim. Okay, like what? You know, I can't give a better compliment than this. But I've said by leaps and bounds, the best close-up magic I've ever seen. And it is so, as a germaphobe, I mean this in the best way, it is so clean. It is so clean and seamless. No, it is. The way these things, I'm looking and I'm right there. You are wow. People have to vote. If you're not in the finals, then America doesn't know what they're doing. And then Mel, do you see how he's like winking at us and like going... I just love the whole performance. And what you do with your hands, amazing. I mean, I was saying to Heidi, you insured your legs for like a million dollars each leg? I did and the client did. You need to insure your hands for at least five million per hand. What? But you do it so smoothly. God, those hands are amazing. What's amazing is she understands. Fantastic. Simon? You're like Harry Potter without the glasses, aren't you? Yeah. I mean, genuinely, the only thing I would say is, I think moving forward, we have to move away from the cards and do what John Dorenbos does. We need more of a performance. He's getting like a sexy woman or something, being like... That was a performance, though. Yes. It was an amazing performance. How are you feeling right now? I mean, I think you've got like a lot of women in America and across the world going, whoo, Sha. Well, I'm really excited to show you what I have next. I think, Simon, you're going to really like it. It has to do with cards, but if I go through, I promise you will like this next one. Before Shin, there was magic. But the way Shin changed it and created a legacy for himself on America's Got Talent is the fact that his magic was silent. He did not use jokes. He did not use talking as a way to express what he's doing. He just wants his focus to be on magic and it's close up. So there is very little room for error. And Shin also talks about something unconventional that he does, which is that he shares his talent and his tricks and how he does them on YouTube. A lot of magicians don't share that. The reason Shin does that is because he believes that he's the younger generation of magic and he wants magic to grow and for everybody to be able to learn and practice their art. That's your name? Nothing up my sleeves. I'll roll them up. My turn? Pick one of these cards. And show it to the camera. Out of the card. Can you go ahead and open the marker? And show it to the camera. Very good. I'm nervous. A lesser known fact about Shin that a lot of his hardcore fans don't know is the fact that he actually had a career ending injury that led him to the path of drugs and depression. While rehearsing an illusion, a piece of plastic went into his thumb right down to his bone. Since the tendon stuck to his skin, it makes certain movements difficult for him. It might not be the worst for some people, but if you are one of the world's best sleight-of-hand magicians, it can be devastating. This really impacted Shin's mental health. And since winning the show, Shin has shared with us how he went into this dark space and how depressed he was. The recovery was about six months for me. Doing a lot of drugs because I was so depressed. And I was like, I can't use my left hand anymore. And then I was trying to use my right hand. Trying to do all my acts. I was trying to figure out maybe is there a way I can do all of my acts with one hand. It was impossible. But the fact that he kept trying. He did not give up. And he tried harder every day and made a difference. And Shin shared this story years later, inspiring all his fans. And I think that just makes his victory so much better. I was 19 when I first developed carpal tunnel in both of my wrists. Eventually I had to quit playing the piano and take what used to be a hobby. A little bit more seriously. A new passion had ignited. Just like that. Those dice over there? Grab onto it. Roll it. What do you see? Can you show it to the camera? Or you can hold onto them? You said nine, right? Watch the deck. And only the nines remain. Now out of those nines. Out of those nines, which ones do you want? I want the nine of hearts. Nine of hearts. Oh my god, Shin. I mean, oh my god. He was an amazing act. The whole presentation from the piano to the cards. Seeing something I've never seen in my life. This was so good, Shin. You know what? You could actually win the competition. Thank you so much. I agree with everything that Simon just said. That was a one million dollar act. It is a winning act. It really was a winning act. There's no more to be said. Mel B. Could have been anything that you picked. And you made a whole entire act based off what Tyra picked. I can't explain it any other way apart from that was pure magic. I mean, I do believe it exists. And you just proved that point. It does exist. Well done. Thank you. Heidi. Shin Lim, you'd be happier if you get that million dollars tomorrow. This is so much love. Now, if I'm ruining it for you, I'm really sorry. But Shin Lim won season 13 of America's Got Talent, which was well deserved. That is the first thing I wanted to say while starting the video. But we're kind of going in sequence. So I'm sorry if I ruined it for you. But he also went on to compete in America's Got Talent, the champions. If you know what happened, don't ruin it. But I really want to say it, too. Also, through it all, through his depression, through his career-ending injury, through his drug abuse, and also through the struggles he had as a magician, there was one cheerleader in Shin's life, and that was Casey. She can often be seen cheering for him, standing in the sidelines, encouraging him. And Shin has spoken about how he's so shy, and he needed the push that Casey gave him to follow his dreams. Now, the cutest thing is they're married now. They had the perfect wedding, the magical wedding that we all want. Okay, just me. Sorry. Okay, fine. Just me. And then, now they embark on creating TikToks together, which is just beautiful to watch, and I can't wait for this married duo to do magic tricks together. Who knows? You might actually see them in Vegas as a couple doing magic. Shin Lim! Shin, can I say something to you, please? I have absolute respect for you, that you have the courage, after winning, to come back to compete with all the other winners. And not many people would do that. Thank you so much. You're a champion. Thank you so much. Good luck, Shin. Thank you so much. Thank you, guys. Have a seat over there. Left hand out. Cover that, cover the other. Don't move, all right? You are a champion, you are a winner, and you should be in the final. There's only one more spot. Since AGD, Shin Lim's life has totally changed. His act went to Broadway, where he performed the illusionist magic of the holidays. He has a residency in Las Vegas. Oh my god, does it get any better? I cannot wait to go to Las Vegas and just see it up close and personal. And that show is a hit. Also, the world wants to see him, and they can't get enough of him, which is why he has a tour of the entire North America. Now, that has been put on hold because we all know the pandemic hit, and he's taken to TikTok and YouTube, and he's active more than ever, sharing his talent all the time. Howie? Yes? Just take one of these cards. Show it to the camera. To the camera? Yeah. I'll have the card. Right underneath, right underneath. Sit back there. Thank you. That's your card. Take one of these cards. I'll have the card. Can you open up the markers? Write your name right over there. Very good. Show the camera. It's even better. Where'd the cards go? Okay, well, a lot of people do ask that, Terry. Howie, can you try opening your cup? Just open it up. Are you? No! Listen, we were there. What do you think of that? I had so much to say, but now I realize I'm holding cards that were in your mouth. Of course, Shin Lim won America's Got Talent 3rd Champions. I've been dying to say that since we started this video. But the sad part is, a lot of people actually say he won because of the recency bias. Now, recency bias is a word that is coined by Talent Recap. Yes, we created it. But the recency bias is that because he was on America's Got Talent Season 13, and the show ended and then AGT Champions just started, his fans were already watching AGT. And people remembered him. There was this love for him that just existed. So for him to win the second time, it was easier than it was for people who had performed years ago. Now, that is always up for debate. That is not saying Shin Lim doesn't deserve it. But do you think there was recency bias and that contributed to his winning America's Got Talent 3rd Champions? Talk to me in the comments down below and we'll figure it out together. Hi guys, I'm Raganka. And if you've made it this far, you're a hardcore Shin Lim fan like me. Okay, let's just talk about how sexy his hair flip is. I can't get enough of it. Whenever he comes over and he does this thing with his hair, I just want to keep looking at it. And if you're part of that team too, tell me in the comments down below. Also, if you guys want to follow me, it's Raganka Chawla on Instagram. 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