SEOUL, South Korea—South Korea’s well-known baritone, Park Sugil, saw Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company at the Sangmyung Art Center on the afternoon of April 16. He praised the performance and said about the Shen Yun Orchestra, “The blend of Western and Chinese instruments is a big leap for representing traditional Chinese culture.”
Mr. Park is co-chairman of the Korean Chamber Opera, conductor of Noal Male Voice Choir, Honorary Professor of the Department of Music of Hanyang University, and President of music and stage for Yewool. He has also served as President and Artistic Director of the National Opera.
Like most audience members, Mr. Park was deeply impressed by the traditional Chinese culture and stories represented by Shen Yun through classical Chinese dance. “The show manifested Chinese history and stories with dance. The [classical] Chinese dance is full of dynamic beauty. The dancers’ skills are really superb,” he said.
“Shen Yun represented the country of China and its historical roots,” which for Mr. Park are similar to the Korean myth for South Korea. “The show itself is full of dynamic vitality. I can sense a lot of artistic skills as well.”
“I can also experience the divinely-inspired culture,” he said.
“I felt fused with traditional culture. I had the feeling of tradition and China, and I could see how the modern high-tech was combined [in the dynamic backdrop].
“The technique of connecting the dynamic backdrop and the dance was just absorbing. The dancers’ movements were difficult. All was just perfect.”
He mentioned that he also felt the Chinese and Korean cultures are connected. “I feel quite wonderful that [Shen Yun] represents Chinese culture with performing art. I like that they portray the cultural stories such as Monkey King with art and dance. I feel that our cultures have the same roots.”
As a well-known vocalist, Mr. Park paid close attention to the vocal performances. He said, “Their voices in all aspects are fascinating.” He added that though they sang in Chinese, he could easily understand the lyrics through English subtitles. “The lyrics presented a heavenly world, and showed the feelings that people should live together harmoniously. The contents are great.”
He summed up by saying, “Shen Yun is a top class show.”
Read the original Chinese article.
Reporting by Li Zhen, Kim Kyung-Aha, and Lisa Huang
Shen Yun Performing Arts, based in New York, tours the world on a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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