Shen Yun Brings a Touch of Heaven to South Koreans (Photos)

(Minghui.org) The Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company staged 16 sold-out shows in South Korea, starting in the City of Daegu, on April 5, then moving on to Changwon, Gwangju, Incheon, and finally ending at Seoul’s Sangmyung Art Center, on April 16, 2013.

Shen Yun Very Creative, Says Korean Filmmaker

Many local politicians, entertainers, and arts enthusiasts flocked to the internationally acclaimed Shen Yun show, including popular South Korean filmmaker, Kang Hye-jung, who felt the performance had helped her gain an insight into Chinese culture.

“I have never seen this kind of show before, with Chinese content,” Kang Hye-jung enthused. “The overall performances are very creative. It [Shen Yun] illustrates Chinese culture from a different angle. I feel it is very refreshing, and it did help me gain an all-new understating of China.”

She added, “This is my very first time seeing this kind of performance. It is great to include classical Chinese legends and stories in the program. It is very creative. I will definitely bring my kids to see the performance.”

Shen Yun as Beautiful as a Fairy Tale, Says Actress

South Korean actress Kim Yeong-ae

Kim Yeong-ae, one of South Korea’s most well-known TV actresses, exclaimed after the show, “The Shen Yun performance is as beautiful as a fairy tale. If this beautiful world exists, it would be really great. Shen Yun’s spectacular performance also affords us the opportunity to look back at China's long history.”

Ms. Kim admired the dancers' skills, saying, “How on earth can their bearing and form be so graceful and natural? What do they do every day to sharpen their technical skills to this degree, and how many times a day [do they practice]? I admire them very much. Their performances were like feathers flying in the air, and the dancers were seemingly dancing in the air, as well.”

She commented on the purity of the performances, saying they “were so beautiful, I believe all of the artists would have performed with a very pure mind. It struck me that if all of us are able to have such a pure mind, and lead a pure life, it would be great?” Ms. Kim said.

She seemed fascinated by the high-tech animated backdrops. “The piece 'The Emperor Journeys to the Moon,' impressed me very much. It depicted the scenes of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang’s journey to the moon. The performance was indeed very fascinating and mysterious,” she explained.

“While seeing the show today, I pondered about the mysterious, heavenly paradise. I believe this kind of paradise may exist in the world. The Shen Yun performance is like what is described in a fairy tale. I think if there are these kind of paradises in the world, it would be great,” she said.

Ms. Kim added, “Although the performances spanned a short period of time in China's history, I had the opportunity to appreciate authentic traditional Chinese culture, thus I feel exhilarated.”

Kim Yeong-ae is most known for her part in the TV drama, Hwang Jin Yi.

Shen Yun “A Painting by a Master”

Actor Lee Jeong-Gir (Photo courtesy of The Epoch Times)

TV soap opera star, Lee Jeong-Gir, was also in the audience. “I was emotionally stirred by every program,” he said. He described his experience of Shen Yun as “enjoying a painting by a master that fused music, art, acting, and dancing into one. It allows me to see a piece of outstanding dream work.”

“Through the two-hour performance, I was able to appreciate the ancient history of China; I am very thrilled. This performance is not based on just a couple of stories. Every program is a single story that continues from the previous one and prepares one for the beginning of the next one. Every program brought me joy and thrills. That’s not easy. The performance was extraordinary and was presented as a highly skillful work of art,” Mr. Lee explained.

He added, “The intense programs have the nature of art. With the highly skillful dancing and enchanting music, I had a wonderful time. The performance has the artistic atmosphere from the Han people, as well as ethnic minority groups. It is based on the nature of ancient China and I sensed a strong message from the values it presents. The performance contains an immense and profound content of Chinese culture, truly amazing.”

He concluded, “Based on the changing history, there will be a catastrophe on earth and mankind’s existence may be at risk. … Through this performance, I obtained good energy and spirit.”

Mr. Lee has appeared in over 50 TV soap operas in the past 20 years.

Shen Yun Is Unrivaled, Says Musical Troupe Director

Musical troupe director and producer, Lee Miji

After seeing the show, which her friends had highly recommended, Lee Miji said that Shen Yun’s masterful techniques were unrivaled and flawless.

As the director and producer of Acrobatic Musical Troupe, Ms. Miji said “Shen Yun does not stubbornly stick to the basic procedures of a performance, which quite surprises me. By and large, a program will start at a slow pace, accelerate, and then reach a climax. On the other hand, Shen Yun remains peaceful from the beginning to the end.

“In my opinion, peacefulness is a feature of Shen Yun. If peacefulness is the most appropriate way for Shen Yun to present culture to an audience, I respect this way of presentation,” said Lee Miji. “Shen Yun performers display excellent dance techniques. What makes Shen Yun unrivaled is the fact that the dancers' movements convey masculinity,” she added.

“I am so surprised to know the Shen Yun world tour is happening on such a large scale, and on such a tight schedule. They perform before countless audiences. This is not easily achieved. I also perform. I was told that Shen Yun tours Korea, annually, and I would like to learn from Shen Yun,” Ms. Miji said.

I Hope Shen Yun “Can Go to Every Corner of the World,” Says Dance Teacher

Chinese dance teacher, He Suiying (Photo courtesy of The Epoch Times)

The Shen Yun show not only attracted a lot of attention from the South Korean arts community, it also sparked the interest of a veteran dance teacher from Hong Kong, He Suiying.

An Unforgettable Evening

Ms. He traveled from Hong Kong to South Korea to see Shen Yun perform, as she has admired Shen Yun for quite a long time.

“I am so excited because the performance was richer and more perfect than I had expected,” she remarked. “I think it’s really worthwhile to make the trip. To see the show, I had to ask for leave and planned [my schedule] for a long time. I think tonight was very precious. I believe I’ll remember this evening forever. I’ve never seen such a performance.”

Ms. He said that although she has seen a lot of dance shows in Hong Kong, many of which are professional performances from Shanghai, Beijing, or Hong Kong dance companies, “the perfection of Shen Yun is really unbelievable. The stage effect, the orchestra, and other aspects were matched superbly, especially the technique of the backdrop, which is unprecedented.”

Superb Dancing Skills

The dance teacher continued, “I really admire the Shen Yun artists. They all performed attentively. Their basic skills [of classical Chinese dance] are superb, especially the male dancers. The female dancers tempered force with gentleness. Among the many artistic performances that I have seen, I think [Shen Yun] works the hardest and makes the strictest requirement upon themselves,” she said. “Many professional dancers can’t reach Shen Yun performers’ level, in their movements, like tumbling skills, flexibility, and vividness.”

Ms. He particularly appreciated how perfectly the choreography, dance, and music were synchronized with each other. “I believe that the choreographers took great pains to match every movement with the music. I was greatly moved.” She mentioned that she would relive the performance in her mind “over and over again.”

Commenting on the high-tech dynamic backdrop, she said, “I’ve never experienced the feeling of seeing characters coming out of a screen. It’s very lifelike. It’s really a performance of a super level. I’ve never seen such technology.”

Ms. He was particularly fond of the program, “Sewing the Flowers of Heaven,” saying, “It is very beautiful. All of the artists are like fairies. The story from Journey to the West was very lovely. In addition, the program about Shaolin Temple showed the athletic skills of the male dancers, with many tumbling techniques involved. They presented an interesting story that had taken place in the Shaolin Temple. They looked playful and vigorous as well.”

Blessed by Shen Yun

Ms. He recommended that everyone see Shen Yun and be blessed by it. “This is a superlative performance. It is an unforgettable experience. Shen Yun will bring a lot of blessings to everyone who sees it. It will bring you the culture and art of Chinese dance, too. You’ll feel like you've awakened from a dream after seeing it.”

She said that whatever country Shen Yun performs in, that country will be blessed. “I come from Hong Kong. It’s a pity that Hong Kong hasn’t seen [a Shen Yun performance]. I hope that Shen Yun can perform in Hong Kong one day and bring blessings to all of Hong Kong. I also hope that it can go to every corner of the world, and that more people can enjoy such blessings.”

“This Is What True Art Is,” Says Government Counselor

Seoul Metropolitan Council counselor, Han Hak Soo (Photo courtesy of The Epoch Times)

Han Hak Soo, a counselor on the education committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, excitedly said, “[Shen Yun] was a huge success. Anyone who misses out on the performance will regret it for the rest of their lives. Shen Yun, in a word, brings out people’s pure and true emotion.”

Although Mr. Han had traveled to many countries and had seen many different ethnic performances, he said none of them had come close to Shen Yun. “Whether it was the choreography, the dancing, the design, the overall performance, the orchestra, the coordination between the Eastern and Western instruments, or the performers, every single one of these was perfect and amazing. This is what true art is,” he enthused.

He added, “It was a touching and beautiful performance. I will treasure this precious memory for the rest of my life!”

Chinese Students Moved to Tears by Shen Yun

Shen Yun's fan-base in China has been steadily growing, and an increasing number of Chinese are going abroad to see the show. In the past, these people were afraid to be seen at the Shen Yun shows, but now, many of them openly accept interviews.

Ever since Ms. Mu, a Chinese university student in South Korea, had seen a DVD of Shen Yun in China, she longed to see a live Shen Yun performance. Last year, she got a chance to see the show for the first time and was choked with sobs when being interviewed.

This year, Ms. Mu brought her classmate, Ms. Gao, to see Shen Yun. After the show, the two young ladies were reluctant to leave the venue. With tears in her eyes, Ms. Mu said, “As soon as the curtain rose, I still could not stop crying, and I can’t explain why.”

Hoping to Ascend to Heaven

During the interview, Ms. Mu was so excited that she was speechless, unsure where to begin. When asked about the meaning of Shen Yun’s song lyrics, she nodded her head to express that she had understood, and then said emotionally, “Living in the world is like a dream. We still have to return to our true selves and ascend to heaven.”

She remarked that every program shook her soul, especially the last scene, “Divine Mercy.” She passionately said, “I was filled with a sublime feeling. At that moment, the stage presence was so awe- inspiring when heaven fell and the earth split apart at Tiananmen [Square], and a Buddha suddenly appeared, saving the world. Then all the things that were not supposed to exist disappeared, and only some traditional things remained. All the waste and scum vanished along with everything evil.”

Her eyes glowed with light when she spoke of her understanding of the Shen Yun performance. “It is really a kind of hope—that good people have hope and a bright future,” she said.

A Show That Cannot be Seen in China

Her classmate, Ms. Gao, who is majoring in the Korean language, said, “I feel quite lucky to be able to see a different kind of show in Korea. Earlier, the host also said that people cannot see [the Shen Yun performance] in China.”

She continued, “As soon as the curtain rose, I felt really moved. I saw something different from what is normally on television; it depicts different cultures, and I feel it expresses more.” She was choked with emotion. She had no language to express the feelings in her heart.

She said that she especially liked the program “Phoenix Fairies,” where fairies danced between a sea of clouds, and the dresses billowed like ocean waves. “I thought that was particularly beautiful, I really like that one,” she enthused.

When asked about the realizations that she had after seeing Shen Yun, she paused and then slowly and thoughtfully said, “I learned what I had not known in China. Falun Gong is completely different from how it is described [in mainland China].” Ms. M, who was standing by her side, interjected, “Yes, I often told her the truth [about Falun Gong] and this is the first time she has seen it for herself. The only pity is that our other classmate was unable to attend the show, due to an exam.”

Entrepreneur from China: Shen Yun Purifies One’s Soul

Also in the audience was Ms. Lin, a Chinese entrepreneur, who excitedly said, while wiping tears from her eyes, “After seeing Shen Yun’s video clip on the Internet, I had longed to see this spectacular performance in person, but was unable to make it until today. Seeing is believing. I found it indeed superb. I’ll see it again in the future.

“The show makes me feel very pure, as if my mind has been purified. Being a businesswoman, over the years, I was unable to calm myself down from time to time, and I disliked complicated interpersonal relationships in my daily life. After seeing it [Shen Yun], my soul seems to be purified, and I feel very comfortable. It seems that all those anxieties are now far away from me.”

She continued, “I feel particularly overwhelmed [by Shen Yun]. Chinese society is very chaotic. Although China has a large population, the morality in the country is low. I feel the situation in South Korea is much better, as people here are very warm and helpful. It makes me feel very warm. However, in China, people nowadays are eager to make a quick buck, or pursue their personal interests. What China especially lacks now is morality, integrity, and simplicity.

“Shen Yun has a purifying effect and can make us feel very comfortable. It can also help us improve our interpersonal relationships. Unfortunately, people in China are pursuing personal profits by hook or by crook. It is hard to make sincere friends, and decent things are few and far between.

“It would be great if Shen Yun could perform in China someday, so that people would know to behave more like what is demonstrated in the Shen Yun programs. This is what we are lacking in China. This is my wish. I would like to lead a simple, kind, and harmonious life, however, most Chinese people nowadays do not pursue these things. This is the real situation in China now.”

“I Was Moved,” Says Institute President

President of the Korean Broadcasting and Communication Convergence Research Institute, Hong Seokil

Hong Seokil, president of the Korean Broadcasting and Communication Convergence Research Institute, said that he was touched by how Shen Yun had unveiled a divine realm to the audience.

Mr. Hong had only positive things to say about the show. “The dancing was outstanding, especially the unique and distinctive blending of the costumes' colors. Furthermore, the backdrop perfectly complemented the performers on stage. It was overwhelming,” he exclaimed.

He said he was fascinated by the masculine power in the dance set, “Han Imperial Air,” which showcased the Han Dynasty. “The backdrop of the 'Han Imperial Air' was extremely beautiful, and the dance performance was very vivid,” he said.

Mr. Hong, a music lover himself, liked the way Shen Yun seamlessly blended Eastern and Western instruments. “I used to learn many kinds of Korean instruments, so I could tell the unique nature and excellence of the Shen Yun music. The interactions of the Eastern and Western instruments produces pleasant sounds,” he said.

He added, “I’ve learned a lot from Shen Yun. For instance, the choreography, performance, colors, and the costumes, especially the costumes, it seemed like the fairies had come down to earth. From the aspect of admiring gods, the scene in which the Buddha descended from heaven totally showed the glory of the heavenly paradise. I was moved.”

Mr. Hong continued, “I am 62 years old now. I have experienced numerous things. I could feel that our lives are carefully arranged by divine beings. I believe in the existence of gods. I can deeply empathize with this performance. For example, I promised the gods that I would not do bad things or ever harm anyone. Through this performance, I was deeply affected by these feelings.”

Source: the EpochTimes.com