Dream come true: China construction worker who found fame playing piano on streets excited to meet global star Lang Lang
- Labourer tinkles ivories on streets of Shenzhen streets, gets TV spot
- Spring Festival Gala show invitation brings promise of Lang Lang meet
A 58-year-old construction worker and amateur piano player in China said he would love to meet the global superstar Lang Lang, who then responded and made his wish come true.
Yi Jianli, a migrant worker who has lived in Shenzhen, southeastern China for more than 20 years, was invited to play in CCTV’s televised Spring Festival Gala variety show, which will broadcast on Lunar New Year’s Eve.
During rehearsals, Yi said he hoped to meet the world-famous pianist at the event, and two days later, the star wrote him a heartfelt message.
In a viral video, Yi is seen playing piano in the hall of CCTV’s head office, as a crowd gathers round to listen and applaud.
Yi smiles shyly and, when asked what his biggest wish is, confesses it is to meet Lang Lang.
“I’m a construction worker who likes playing piano, and I admire Lang Lang very much,” Yi says in the video, then jokingly asks if there was any possibility he could meet his hero, not really expecting it to happen.