Epiphone introduces an official artist signature guitar with South Korean singer-songwriter Lee Seung Yoon, capturing the story of his musical journey
This project is a symbolic milestone that connects the moment an artist first picked up a guitar with where he stands today. Lee Seung Yoon has carved out his own place in the Korean music scene through his distinctive musicality, poetic lyrics, and powerful live performances. Growing up listening to British rock, Lee has moved fluidly between solo and band projects since his debut in 2013, building a broad sonic palette that spans rock, pop, and acoustic music.
His third full-length album, YEOK SEONG, released in 2024, showcases a rich band-driven sound and a message that resonates with the times. The album reaffirmed his musical influence by earning three honors at the 22nd Korean Music Awards—one of the most prestigious music awards in Korea—including Musician of the Year, Best Rock Song, and Best Modern Rock Song.
For Lee Seung Yoon, Epiphone is more than just a brand. His first guitar was an Epiphone, and he has continued to write music and fill stages with Epiphone by his side. From his early days as an unknown artist to the present, Epiphone has accompanied him through countless songs and performances, becoming an important starting point in shaping his sound. Now, that journey comes full circle with Epiphone once again.
The pickguard features four symbolic elements, each representing a key part of Lee Seung Yoon’s discography and career
The Lee Seung Yoon LSY-200 Studio EC signature guitar is based on the Epiphone J-200™ EC Studio, a model he has used for many years. As the first Epiphone signature guitar for a Korean artist, it was developed to reflect Lee’s real-life playing experience and musical identity. More than a simple collaboration, this project carries special meaning as a guitar that embodies the artist’s musical identity and personal story.
The design also visually interprets Lee Seung Yoon’s music. The pickguard features four symbolic elements, each representing a key part of his discography and career. The ancient stone tablet represents his album Even If Things Fall Apart; the moon symbolizes How Pretty the Moon Is; the compass represents Shelter of Dreams; and the checkerboard planet symbolizes Anthems of Defiance. Together, these four elements serve as a visual symbol of the musical journey he has built over time, brought together on a single guitar.
This guitar was not simply created—it has already proven itself on stage. Lee Seung Yoon performed with the signature model as a headliner at THE GLOW, one of Korea’s major music festivals, presenting it in front of tens of thousands of fans. He is also set to continue performing with the guitar this May at his solo concert at the KINTEX outdoor plaza. In this way, the Lee Seung Yoon signature guitar is an instrument completed through real live performance—a tool that captures the artist’s present moment in its most vivid form.
Beyond the release of Korea’s first Epiphone signature model, this project tells the story of an artist’s beginning, present, and future. Through this collaboration, Epiphone and Gibson aim to expand the connection between music and the brand beyond Korea, across Asia, and into the global market. That story will continue on an even wider stage through Lee Seung Yoon’s music, including the new album he is currently working on.
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