BUSAN, South Korea—A former Korean mayor was impressed by Shen Yun Performing Arts, saying after the performance that he was going to call his children to tell them to attend the show.
“The performance talks about Chinese civilization but adds some humor and interesting factors. It delivers profound meanings in an easy way. It made me feel very excited,” he said.
“This performance presents the culture. It’s great for everybody,” he said. “Shen Yun is the main artery to continue the 5,000-year history of China.”
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.
‘Mesmerizing’
Mr. Shin Kyung-soo, the head of a lumber company, said he was touched by Shen Yun, and was mesmerized by the show.“I wonder how Shen Yun can take us into the worlds of the dances,” he said. “It’s amazingly superb.”
“The male dancers are very powerful. They are really valiant,” he said. “The female dancers are very expressive and graceful. Everything is perfect.”
“The dancers entered the backdrop after jumping from the stage, and then landed on the stage from the backdrop. It’s magic! The design is fantastic,” he 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.
‘Best in the World’
Ms. So Yu-soon is the director of the culture section at the Gyeongnam Daily and the CEO of the Italian furniture store Bellini. She said Shen Yun’s backdrop and overall artistic ability were the best in the world.“Since the curtain was first opened, the scenes on stage have been extremely magnificent,” she said. “Shen Yun’s images and techniques are so wonderful. You can’t find any shortage of them.”
Ms. So was amazed by Shen Yun’s dancers.
“I was shocked when I first saw Shen Yun dancers use their bodies to express the story and everything,” she said. “All dancers were shining on stage because they all supported others. I believe their moral standards are very high. They are best both in physical skills and in spirit.”
“Shen Yun has the ability to surpass human beings,” she said with a big smile, adding that no other performance could compare.
Ms. So appreciated Shen Yun performance in Busan. “This is the best gift to us, to everyone living in Busan,” she said.
Every year, Shen Yun puts on an all-new production, including new choreography, music, costumes, and backdrop sets. The Shen Yun 2023 season will be its biggest yet, with its eight equally sized touring companies set to visit more than 180 cities across five continents.
Finding ‘New Motivation’
Mr. Park Soo-bong is an adjunct professor at Dongwon University of Science and Technology. He told The Epoch Times that he found new motivation in life from Shen Yun.“I think the subject of Shen Yun is truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. I felt these three words are the truth of our daily life,” he said. “I had an argument with my wife because we have different opinions on dealing with relationships with others. When I saw these three words, I found a new motivation to live.”
Mr. Park said being materially rich can’t make people happy, but the values Shen Yun presented can uplift people and inspire people to look forward. He was moved by the dancers.
“Their movements can touch my heart. I saw other theatergoers were also moved. I felt this secret power, but can’t explain the reason,” he said. “The dances are like Shen Yun’s name.”
The name “Shen Yun” means the “beauty of divine beings dancing.”
