SEOUL, South Korea--As Divine Performing Arts (DPA) 2009 World Tour concluded in Seoul, South Korea on February 8, Na-Gyeong Lee, a rising star in Korea's entertainment circle, was intrigued.
Ms. Lee was especially charmed by the dancers of Dance of the Yi, featuring the playful and vivacious women of the Yi, one of southern China's largest ethnic groups.
"The most beautiful program is the one with ethnic ladies dancing deep in the mountains. The costumes are gorgeous too. If I were a dancer rather than a film actress, I would want to go up on the stage and dance with them. I really want to wear the female dancers' flowing and brilliant dresses.
"The demon that assumes the guise of a temptress in The Monkey King Triumphs left me with the deepest impression. It seemed like watching a drama, except there were no words said.
"The show is very fantastic. Particularly with the vivid backdrops, the show displayed outstanding directing skills. The costumes of Chinese classical dance and Chinese folk dance were remarkably realistic and vibrant."
Ms. Lee was moved by the devoted spirit of the dancers of DPA.
"The exceptional performance of the dancers genuinely captivated the audience. The spirit allowed the audience to sense their sincerity. As an actress myself, I learned from these dancers how to be dedicated to my career.
"China was mainly influenced by the Buddhist culture. So there were many stories about Buddhas and gods. The culture was based on this belief. ... Although DPA's headquarters is in New York, it expressed the Chinese culture in such a perfect way. It is an honor to see DPA. I hope no one misses the chance to come and see this show."