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---
title: Young Korean Guitarist Shreds During 2018 Closing Ceremony
description: The 2018 Winter Olympics belongs to Yang Tae-hwan, the Korean teen guitarist who completely stole the show during the closing ceremony
canonical: https://time.com/5174577/yang-tae-hwan-guitarist-olympics-closing-ceremony/
author: Ashley Hoffman
article:opinion: false
article:content_tier: free
article:published_time: 2018-02-25T16:13:09.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-01-15T18:29:01.000Z
og:title: The Internet Loves the Guitar Boy From the Closing Ceremony
og:description: He stole the show with an electric guitar song at the Olympics
og:url: https://time.com/5174577/yang-tae-hwan-guitarist-olympics-closing-ceremony/
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og:image:alt: korean-guitarist-yang-tae-hwan
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twitter:card: summary_large_image
twitter:title: The Internet Loves the Guitar Boy From the Closing Ceremony
twitter:description: He stole the show with an electric guitar song at the Olympics
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![](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf68fb21727c17e19/698928d6cf40a833d6c4b76b/gettyimages-924020894.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)


# The Star of the Olympics Closing Ceremony Is This Guitar Kid Who Really Rocked Out

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### FAQ

#### Who is Ally Bank?

Ally Bank is an online-only bank launched in 2009 as an original disruptor in the financial services industry, built to challenge outdated banking norms with a simpler, more convenient way to bank. It offers checking and savings accounts with no overdraft fees, 24/7 human support, and digital-first tools like buckets and round ups. Deposits are FDIC-insured up to the maximum amount allowed by law.

#### Is Ally good for everyday banking?

Ally is built for everyday banking, spending, and saving. Its Spending Account is a checking account that includes early direct deposit (paychecks up to 2 days early), access to 75,000+ fee-free ATMs nationwide, the ability to add cash for free at participating locations nationwide, and no overdraft fees. Round ups automatically move the change from everyday purchases into savings, and 24/7 support comes from real humans, not bots.

#### What bank is built for life today?

Ally is the bank built for life today, a digital-first, people-first bank. Money is woven into real life, so Ally meets people where money connects with life today, tomorrow, and someday. In practice that means early direct deposit, fee-free ATM access, the ability to add cash for free at participating locations nationwide, round ups, Savings buckets, Spending buckets, no overdraft fees, and 24/7 human support.

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#### Which banks offer early direct deposit?

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#### Can you deposit cash at Ally Bank?

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### Sources

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### Disclaimers

* Ally Bank, Member FDIC.
* Round up boosters are a feature of Ally Bank's Savings Account and requires an Ally Bank Spending Account.
* Ally Bank Spending Accounts include access to an add cash feature utilizing VanillaDirect Pay provided by InComm Financial Services California, Inc. and by InComm Financial Services, Inc. (NMLS# 912772), which is licensed as a Money Transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Terms and conditions apply.
* Savings buckets are a feature of Ally Bank's Savings Account.
* No ATM fees from Ally Bank at Allpoint and Moneypass ATMs plus we reimburse for fees charged by other ATM owners nationwide up to $10 per statement cycle.
* Early direct deposit offers eligible direct deposits up to two days sooner.
* Spending buckets are a feature of Ally Bank's Spending Account.

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<!-- video src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/C7qsx6ua.m3u8" -->
## Video: Highlights from the 2018 Winter Oympics Closing Ceremony

[Watch (HLS stream): Highlights from the 2018 Winter Oympics Closing Ceremony](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/C7qsx6ua.m3u8) (1:42)

![Highlights from the 2018 Winter Oympics Closing Ceremony](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/C7qsx6ua/poster.jpg?width=720)

_Published 2018-02-26. Highlights from the 2018 Winter Oympics Closing Ceremony_


by 

[Ashley Hoffman](https://time.com/author/ashley-hoffman/)


## Ashley Hoffman


Updated: Jan 15, 2026 6:29 PM UTCPublished: Feb 25, 2018 4:13 PM UTC

Highlights from the 2018 Winter Oympics Closing Ceremony 

by 

[Ashley Hoffman](https://time.com/author/ashley-hoffman/)


## Ashley Hoffman


Updated: Jan 15, 2026 6:29 PM UTCPublished: Feb 25, 2018 4:13 PM UTC

Nothing was more rock and roll at the [2018 Winter Olympics closing ceremony](http://time.com/5129060/closing-ceremony-2018-winter-olympics-watch/) than this one kid shredding on the electric guitar.

As the [drone fleet took to the skies](http://time.com/5141718/opening-ceremony-drones-olympic-rings-represent/), 13-year-old wunderkind Yang Tae-hwan stole the show when he took over the stage during the closing ceremony to shred a song.

The Korean guitarist rocked out in a turtleneck sweater and leather jacket, proving he knows just how to wail.

During the live broadcast of the closing ceremony from PyeongChang Sunday, the internet — and this may not shock anyone — immediately declared Yang a true hero.

It’s not hard to see why. Yang can tear it up guitar better than most people do most things. For instance, he can make any familiar classic sound like the most hardcore rock ballad. He got everyone rocking out to “Winter,” a concerto from Antonio Vivaldi’s iconic 1725 baroque symphony, “The Four Seasons.”

**Everyone is thoroughly impressed.**

> [](https://twitter.com/RobbieLeeCook95/status/967719806895083520)

> [](https://twitter.com/Shin%5FCromartie/status/967719545950605312)


> [](https://twitter.com/bomschronicle/status/967719468871827460)

> [](https://twitter.com/loeybaby1127/status/967719101970788352)

> [](https://twitter.com/ShannHawke/status/967719723386441728)


> [](https://twitter.com/danbullock/status/967719670248804352)

> [](https://twitter.com/officialbarnsey/status/967718308194783233)

**So much so that the word hero popped up and popped up frequently.**

> [](https://twitter.com/ShannHawke/status/967719723386441728)


> [](https://twitter.com/anestofpigs/status/967718343179292673)

**People marveled at the young Korean guitarist’s age.** 

> [](https://twitter.com/jnrbaker/status/967722546790653952)

**Even the fandoms who came for their K-pop idols simply could not look away.**

> [](https://twitter.com/WUUSHIXUNS/status/967719066851991553)


> [](https://twitter.com/nadagelil/status/967721719648673793)

**Yang’s new fans admire his guitar style.**

> [](https://twitter.com/georgialewis76/status/967720309758529536)

**People are already trying to be him.**

> [](https://twitter.com/andrewmjones/status/967719731351506944)


> [](https://twitter.com/sehunftkyungsoo/status/967719143809036289)

**Or wish they were him, which is understandable.**

> [](https://twitter.com/Little%5FMardyBum/status/967719867024461824)

As far as entertainment goes, the closing ceremony’s list of performers was stacked. They had insanely popular K-Pop luminaries CL and EXO, impressive choreography and rhapsodically beautiful visuals. But most importantly, they had Yang and his guitar.


As a teen with glasses and the ideal curly hair for headbanging, Yang instantly solidified his status as the coolest individual on the [Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium stage](http://time.com/5124176/best-k-pop-artists/) during the closing ceremony. It was as though every drone that came together to form the Olympic rings symbolized the achievement that he exists on earth and we can all witness it.

The teen guitarist is something of a prodigy.

According to NPR Asia’s Elise Hu, Yang got his big break on the talent show [_Star King_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1nVoKY5C6E).

> [](https://twitter.com/elisewho/status/967718214959378432)


He’s been mastering the electric guitar since a young age.

This one is clearly going places. Rock on Yang.


## Transcript

[00:00] [ MUSIC ]
[00:17] [ MUSIC ]
[00:35] [ MUSIC ]
[00:52] [ MUSIC ]
[01:10] [ MUSIC ]

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