America’s Got Talent is back for Season 21 and so is Season 17 finalist Yu Hojin. Shockingly, the now 33 year old magician, is back with a new act that has stolen Howie Mandel’s Golden Buzzer.
Yu Hojin Returns to America’s Got Talent
Season 17 Magician Yu Hojin returned to the America’s Got Talent stage during Season 21’s second episode. He was seen talking behind the scenes with early release magician Geno Ploeger, discussing the fact that it’s his second time on the series.
While looking back at his Season 17 act, Yu admitted that Simon Cowell thought his audition wasn’t big enough. Now, he’s looking to redeem himself from Cowell’s ‘no.’
“I couldn’t stop thinking that Simon said no to me, and ever since then, it changed how I think about magic and performance,”he said. “Winning America’s Got Talent is my biggest dream. This time, I’ve got to take it all the way.”
Cowell was supportive of Yu returning to the stage, saying that often he tells people to come back and they do better. The act then began with multiple other people joining Yu on stage.
The group, deemed “Hundred Fingers” took on magic in a performance, similar to both The Mayyas and Murmuration. While performing magic, there was also a choreography element keeping viewers engaged. Cards literally appear out of nowhere!
Howie Mandel Hits The Golden Buzzer
After the act, Terry Crews was seen running behind stage to hit the Golden Buzzer, but Howie Mandel got to it first. Mandel propelled his entire body on to the Golden Buzzer, then screamed in cheer for the act.
Crews, on the other hand, was upset to see Mandel beat him. Mandel was then seen behind the scenes telling the group he’s “never seen a better magic act in my life.”
Cowell then approached Yu. The magician explained to the judge that he wants to win the season and especially wants to “make something different than anyone.” The judge then called the act “one of the best I’ve ever seen.”
The pair hugged, before Yu shook the hands of all of the other judges. Behind the stage, Mandel and Crews argued over the fact that Crews was too late to hit the Golden Buzzer.
Would you have given Hundred Fingers the Golden Buzzer? Let us know on X! Be sure to tune into America’s Got Talent on Tuesdays at 8PM ET so you don’t miss a minute of the competition.
Words by:
Corey Cesare Corey Cesare is Talent Recap's Managing Editor and featured YouTube Host. She has a love of all things pop culture and an unhealthy obsession with celebrities. Corey earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Cinema/Screen Studies from the State University of New York at Oswego in 2021. She spends her spare time shooting astro, nature, and portrait photography, and coming up with movie ideas that she hopes to make into a film someday.
