Most 15-year-olds are simply trying to find their way around the complications of teenage life. But for YouTube Superstar Megan Lee, life seems to be full of joy and music. Her down-to-earth attitude and passion to touch others through her music and acting is definitely infectious. Korean Beacon was lucky enough to snag an interview with the “cutiepie” a.k.a “Happy Virus,” and talk about her experiences and upcoming projects.

KB: You were on MBC’s Star Audition earlier this year, how was that experience for you?

MEGAN LEE: It was definitely a great experience for me. I went to Korea for the first time ever in my life so there was big culture shock. At the same time it was great because I got to learn more about my country and it opened my eyes to Korean music. I’ve always loved Korean music since way before, but it opened my ears and eyes and I got to learn more about it.

KB: How do you think being on Star Audition changed you? Did it help you grow?

MEGAN LEE: Oh definitely. It helped me grow mentally as an artist, and I got to learn how to speak Korean better because I was really bad. It was so much fun, and I enjoyed every second of it!

KB: Who is your favorite Korean musician / band?

MEGAN LEE: Ah, it’s so hard because I have so many right now. I love 2ne1! I actually really like the whole YG community. I also like CNBlue, Big Bang and SNSD.

KB: I know you do a lot of covers of popular songs. So far, which has been your favorite song to cover?

MEGAN LEE: I have some YouTube covers in Korean, but it’s hard to pick just one. I guess if I were to go to a Korean noraebang (karaoke), I would probably sing “I Have a Lover” by Lee Eun Mi. It’s actually one of the first songs I learned in Korean. It was my mom’s favorite song and I heard her sing it all the time, and so naturally I just learned it.

Watch Megan’s cover of Lee Eun Mi’s “I Have a Lover”:

KB: What do you prefer: singing or acting?

MEGAN LEE: I’m not really sure because I’ve been acting longer than I was singing. It’s hard to choose one because I use both for the same purpose. I want to become an entertainer to inspire and change lives in a positive way. I want to be a role model for someone else to look up to. Basically, I just want to bring happiness to the world. I believe I can do the same thing by using acting and singing.

KB: Are your parents supportive of what you do?

MEGAN LEE: Definitely. I feel very blessed because Asian parents in general are usually not supportive of their children’s dreams. They tell them “Become a doctor! Become a lawyer.” But I’m blessed that they’re different and I get to follow my dreams.

KB: What has been your biggest challenge?

MEGAN LEE: To be honest, I think just being Asian. I’ve had a lot of obstacles to overcome especially during acting. Whenever I go to auditions, I go to the final stage in front of the producers and directors and I’m always the only Asian girl. They always choose whoever fits the role ethnicity-wise and somehow the Caucasian or Hispanic girl always gets it. If I book a role, I usually get the nerdy girl or the quirky girl with pigtails; they’re very stereotypical. It’s getting better though. There are a lot of Asian Americans on TV. For music, there’s not that many, but we’re still growing.

KB: Do you attend Asian American events like Kollaboration?

MEGAN LEE: Well I did Kollaboration Acoustic 3 when I was 13. I think Kollaboration was what made me really want to break into the Asian American community and music because I was more focused on acting at the time. After seeing all these really talented Asian American artists, it inspired me so much and it made me think “I wanna do that too!”

KB: Who has been your biggest inspiration?

MEGAN LEE: Definitely my mom. I wouldn’t be here without her! My dad as well. Without them I wouldn’t stay grounded and they constantly guide me in everything I do.

KB: How do you think being a YouTube star has changed you?

MEGAN LEE: I don’t really think I’m a ‘YouTube star.’ I’m just a regular girl enjoying what I love to do, and I just wanna make people happy and it makes me happy doing what I have a passion for. I have little girls coming up to me saying ‘I wanna become just like you. You inspire me to put up YouTube videos.’ I feel happy because I get to touch people’s hearts and encourage them with whatever I do.

KB: I know you just finished filming your music video for “Live, Laugh & Love,” are you excited about the release? Can you share some details about the new music video?

MEGAN LEE: Super duper excited! The song is basically about touching peoples lives and just to love to laugh and to live because that’s the song name. The music video is of me walking down the street blowing bubbles which signify positive messages. So whenever someone sees the bubble or it touches someone, it changes them in a positive way. In the end I actually hand it to someone very special so that’s going to be a big surprise!

Watch Megan Lee’s teaser for “Live, Laugh & Love” below, and look out for the full music video release on July 1st!

Check out Megan’s YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/cutiepiemeg918
Follow her on Twitter: @cutiepiemeg918

[Photos: Audrey Yun-Suong]