‘Glee’ Tribute Episode Is ‘The Most Beautiful Thing,’ Says Harry Shum Jr.

With the 'Glee' tribute episode to honor Cory Monteith is set to air on Oct. 10, HollywoodLife.com spoke exclusively to Harry Shum Jr., who you may know as Mike Chang, on what to expect from the emotional, heartfelt special that he returned for. By the time Harry Shum Jr.'s character graduated from McKinley High School, he had made a new family, including the late Cory Monteith. On Sept. 5, Harry revealed to us what it was like to return to the Glee set, and to film the "beautiful" tribute episode.

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Reading Time: 3 minutes
September 10, 2013 3:58PM EDT
Harry Shum Jr. Glee Tribute
Image Credit: Courtesy of Fox

Harry Shum Jr.: ‘Glee’ Tribute Episode Is ‘So Special’

“I think the writers put a beautiful script together to pay tribute and also have the essence of what Glee really is,” Harry told us at SEGA’s Go Dance event at STK Midtown in New York City. “Not taking away what Glee was or is — I think that’s the most beautiful thing that they were able to put together, able to pay tribute while also keeping the aspect of what Glee is and what made it so special.”

We all know that the Glee cast are a family, so we’re bracing ourselves a great deal of tears, and emotional songs during the episode.

“We’ve come together,” Harry explained of his the cast. “We’ve spent four and a half years together on tours, press, and shooting the show for hours on end — and what comes out of that is family. Sometimes we spent more time with each other than we did spend with our own family, so we hold that very special to our hearts.”

Cory Monteith: Extremely Appreciative Of His Fans

As Cory grew up on the set of Glee, so did his character Finn Hudson. Finn was a “revolutionary” character, as Harry called it, as a popular football player who was also in glee club, and had a gay step-brother who he always stood up for.

“The beauty of the character Finn that Cory played, was that you didn’t have a character like that [on TV],” Harry said. “I think it was a huge thing for audiences to see.”

With that growth, Cory appreciated all of his fans so much.

“I think the fans hold something very special in their hearts for Finn,” Harry told us. “He was always the first one to always go to the fans, and sign autographs and take pictures and that would be his favorite thing to do because he knew that was a big part of helping him to get his success and he’s just that type of person.”

His love for his fans definitely came across, and as fans, we are still extremely sad about his death.

WATCH: Lea Michele Cries For Cory Monteith At Teen Choice Awards 2013


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— Emily Longeretta

More Cory Monteith ‘Glee’ News:

  1. Lea Michele: Why Rachel Berry Won’t Have New Love Interest On ‘Glee’
  2. ‘Glee’ Season 5 Trailer Revealed: Rachel Reacts To Finn’s Death?
  3. Lea Michele Wears ‘Cory’ Necklace On Sad First Day On ‘Glee’ Set