SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun ‘As Wonderful as a Dream,’ Says Expert in Traditional Oriental Cultures

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Shen Yun ‘As Wonderful as a Dream,’ Says Expert in Traditional Oriental Cultures
Mr. Choi Sung-jong, the president of the Research Institute of Oriental Cultures, attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul, South Korea, on Feb. 19, 2023. Cho Yoon-deok/The Epoch Times

SEOUL, South Korea—Mr. Choi Sung-jong, president of the Research Institute of Oriental Cultures, is one of Korea’s cultural leaders. He is a consultant of the Korea Ceremony Research Committee and the chairman of the Sungkyunkwan Ceremony Committee. Sungkyunkwan was the foremost educational institution in Korea and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every year, the Sungkyunkwan organizes two Seokjeon Daeje ceremonial rites to honor Confucius.

On Feb. 19, Mr. Choi experienced 5,000 years of Chinese civilization come to life, through Shen Yun Performing Arts.
“I felt the love from divine beings to humans in Shen Yun. The feeling is very sacred,” said Mr. Choi.
New York-based Shen Yun is the world’s top classical Chinese dance company, and has a mission to show the beauty and goodness of “China before communism.” The name “Shen Yun” means the “beauty of divine beings dancing.”

Mr. Choi said “Shen Yun is as wonderful as a dream. This is a very miraculous performance.”

He explained that he started to learn Confucianism when he was 5 years old. At the age of 82, he is still studying Confucianism.

Mr. Choi talked about one Shen Yun dance, which presented the poem Confucius wrote to encourage imperial scholars to work for the betterment of the people.

“When I saw the Confucius on the stage, I felt we were uplifted, like the dry land was quenched by a rain,” he said. “[That dance] taught us to insist on studying knowledge. One day in the future, our hearts can encompass and care for the world.”

Mr. Choi felt Shen Yun conveyed through art three words, which he deeply: truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

“Modern people thought following these traditional customs means losing their profits. Actually, these values can help people to obtain virtue. These are the gifts that the Creator gave to us without any preconditions. If we can accept them, we will be blessed,” he said.

Mr. Choi said he would promote Shen Yun because “I hope Shen Yun can be the center of the world culture in the future.”

For 5,000 years China’s civilization was built on values and virtues from the spiritual teachings of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, virtues like loyalty, propriety, wisdom, justice, and benevolence—values that are universal and shared the world over.

‘Highest Value of a Dance’

Ms. Han Hyun-sun, the director of the Yeonggwang Cultural Center, said “Shen Yun represents the highest value of a dance.”

“The movement’s curves are very elegant. The costumes are gorgeous. I was very happy that I saw the Chinese tradition in Shen Yun,” she said. “This advanced stage is stunning!”

Ms. Han said Shen Yun is “super beautiful,” and was impressed by the synchronization of the dancers.

“So many dancers were on stage together, but all of them moved synchronously without any flaw. They danced in very good order and made beautiful curves. I felt I was there [dancing with them],” she said. “Shen Yun’s melody is enchanting. The coordination of the dancers is really perfect.”

Ms. Han was surprised that she understood all dances without a single word.

“Drama and opera use languages. But Shen Yun only has dance and music without one word. However, it’s so captivating and touching,” she said. “I really admire them. They expressed the meaning very well.”

Ms. Han felt that classical Chinese dance and traditional Chinese culture don’t only belong to Chinese people.

“There are no borders in culture and art. The power of art can bring unlimited possibilities. [Shen Yun] uses art and resonates with people in different countries and regions. It’s amazing!” she said.

Each Shen Yun performance consists of nearly 20 vignettes, presented through highly-expressive art forms such as classical Chinese dance, original orchestral music performed live, soloists who sing in the bel canto tradition, animated digital backdrops, and more.
Ms. Han Hyun-sun, the director of the Yeonggwang Cultural Center, attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul, South Korea, on Feb. 19, 2023. (Dai Deman/The Epoch Times)
Ms. Han Hyun-sun, the director of the Yeonggwang Cultural Center, attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul, South Korea, on Feb. 19, 2023. Dai Deman/The Epoch Times
Reporting by Epoch Times Staff in Seoul, South Korea.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
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