SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Korean District Chair Honors Shen Yun With Certificate of Appreciation

May 04, 2025

5/4/2025Updated: 5/16/2025

DAEGU, Korea—As New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts’ world tour in Korea opened in Daegu, the fourth largest city in South Korea, Jo Gyu-hwa, Chair of the Suseong District Council in Daegu, expressed her appreciation by formally recognizing Shen Yun Performing Arts with a certificate of appreciation.

Suseong District is known as one of the prominent residential and cultural areas of Daegu Metropolitan area, which lies in the southeastern region of South Korea.

After seeing Shen Yun’s opening night performance at the Suseong Artpia Theater on May 1, Ms. Jo returned the next day to present the classical Chinese dance company with the certificate of appreciation. Four dancers, including principal dancer Jay Huang, accepted the certificate on behalf of the company.

“We express our deep gratitude to the world-renowned Shen Yun Performing Arts from the United States for awakening Daegu citizens to the precious value of lost traditional culture through a world-class performance at the Suseong Artpia Theater in our culturally rich city of Daegu,” the certificate reads.

“We hope Shen Yun will continue to deliver messages of inspiration and hope to modern audiences through traditional cultural performances. We wish for Shen Yun’s continued growth and enduring glory.”

Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance company, with a mission to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, or “China before communism.”

After seeing Shen Yun on May 1, Ms. Jo described it as a profound experience.

“It was as if immortals and celestial maidens descended from heaven and completely captivated the audience,” she said. “It felt like both my body and soul were cleansed and healed.”

Ms. Jo noted that Shen Yun is facing challenges in South Korea right now, as the Chinese Embassy has been pressuring theaters to cancel the show.

“A performance should be regarded as art, and I simply can’t understand why this kind of situation is happening,” she said, and stressed that continued government support and promotion are essential.

Since its founding in 2006, Shen Yun has steadily grown in popularity, receiving enthusiastic support across North America, South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Around the world, it has become common for governments to present Shen Yun with certificates of appreciation or commendations, and to host welcoming events.

Earlier this season, the Italian Senate on Jan. 31 hosted a welcome reception and special tour for Shen Yun artists ahead of their performances in Italy.

Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata, chair of the Senate Committee on EU Affairs, praised Shen Yun as “a remarkable achievement in cultural diplomacy.”

Every year, dozens of diplomats and elected officials send congratulatory letters to Shen Yun, including officials from across the United States.

House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) in 2024 stated, “Shen Yun Performing Arts has exposed millions to classical Chinese culture through the art of dance, music and costume. ... Shen Yun Performing Arts has done a phenomenal job of providing communities with memorable and unique experiences.”

Then-Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in 2023 stated “With story-based dance, ethnic and folk dance, and orchestral accompaniment, Shen Yun has become an integral part of the cultural entertainment of our state. New Yorkers appreciate that Shen Yun Performing Arts has found a home at Lincoln Center.”

Shen Yun’s 2025 tour will conclude on May 11.

Reporting by Lee Yun-jeong.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.