GWACHEON, South Korea—On the afternoon of May 10, Shen Yun Performing Arts concluded its Korea tour with a sold-out performance at the Grand Hall of Gwacheon Civic Center in Gyeonggi Province.

This performance marked the conclusion of Shen Yun’s 2025 Korea tour, which featured eight sold-out shows across three cities. Each performance drew packed audiences, reflecting the New York-based company’s continued popularity and artistic acclaim.

As theatergoers exited the venue, many expressed their anticipation for Shen Yun’s return next year, eager to once again witness the company’s celebrated artistry.

Ki-jo Cho, professor emeritus of the Business School at Gyeongnam University, thought Shen Yun a performance of great cultural importance.

“I am truly grateful that Shen Yun has revived and presented classical and traditional cultures and stories that were nearly lost,” he said. “It reminds us that creation myths from all cultures share similar themes—that humanity originates from divine creation, not from evolution.”

He expressed his admiration for how Shen Yun allows audiences to reconnect with the spirit of the past.

As a scholar, Mr. Cho was particularly moved by the two ancient poems featured in the program. “Both were incredibly touching,” he said, noting that he wrote them down by hand to treasure them.

As a professor in information technology, he acknowledged that while advancements like the internet, smartphones, and AI have transformed society, they’ve also made life feel increasingly hollow and indifferent. However, art and culture bring warmth and elevation. “To enrich our spirit, we should read more, engage with the arts, and find inner peace,” he said. “If possible, connecting with the divine is also a beautiful experience.”

Shen Yun is currently unable to perform in China and the Chinese Communist Party has sought to block Shen Yun from performing, even in Korea. Having heard about this through the media, Mr. Cho said, “We should approach religious and cultural activities with a broader mindset, uphold free thought, and live more fulfilling lives.”

Mr. Cho was particularly moved by the artists’ dedication and belief in conveying their message through art. “I’m deeply grateful to the Shen Yun performers for presenting such an incredible show with almost magical skill,” he said. He also noted the impressive use of digital and simulated stage technology. “The digital backdrop was truly remarkable—it felt as if we were instantly transported to another realm.”

Both were deeply moved by the performance, particularly praising the innovative fusion of music and stagecraft. Speaking as professional musicians, they expressed admiration for Shen Yun’s artistry and said the performance sparked thoughtful reflection on new ways to express music.

Ms. Oh, who was named one of Korea’s Top 10 Composers in 2024, said there are similarities in the tonality of ancient Chinese music and traditional Korean music, lending a familiarity to her ear.

“That’s why it sounded so familiar—almost like listening to the melodies of my hometown. The scale feels warm and accessible, the arrangements are clear and lively, and the music easily resonates with the audience. This performance was truly rewarding and filled me with a mysterious sense of emotion,” she said.

She was especially impressed by the erhu solo performance, noting, “I never expected to hear such a vivid, expressive erhu on stage.” She also commented on how the instrument blended seamlessly with the piano accompaniment, describing it as “truly striking.” Having used erhu sounds in her own compositions, she found the performance particularly familiar and meaningful. It was, she said, “an unforgettable experience.”

The Shen Yun performance also exposed the reality of the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of individuals practicing their faith and its ongoing human rights violations. Ms. Oh remarked, “The final scene portrayed the obstruction of today’s life by communism, with the divine descending from the heavens to bring peace. The way it concluded was truly unforgettable.”

Her husband, Yong-yeol Han, a former saxophonist who now volunteers as a music instructor, said, “I’ve seen many operas and musicals, but this performance was truly stunning!

“The emotions are expressed entirely through movement—there’s no need for vocals or spoken words. Yet, the dance deeply moves the audience, and each theme is conveyed so clearly and powerfully. This was the most striking part for me; it feels like the creation of an entirely new form of opera.”

What impressed him most was the handling of the melodies in the music. “The music was especially captivating,“ he said, describing for instance an instance when ”the addition of a unique note in a pentatonic scale made me think, ‘Oh? This is quite distinctive.’”

“The performance, including the dancers and music, exceeded my expectations—clean, precise, and without any excess. It was truly remarkable,” said Mr. Han. He also mentioned that the performance offered valuable insights for music teaching. “The unique structure and flow of the music have given me much to reflect on and think about more deeply,” he said.

Reflecting on the opening scene, where the curtain rose to reveal divine beings descending from the heavens, he said, “It was something entirely new—hard to put into words. It was the first time I had seen this kind of staging in a live performance, and it felt completely different from watching it on screen. In the East, white is often used to symbolize the connection between heaven and earth, but the vivid colors in this performance were truly refreshing.” He found the vibrant colors and fresh approach both surprising and uplifting.

Shen Yun’s innovative digital backdrop, which allows dancers to move seamlessly between the virtual and real worlds, fascinated the couple. Ms. Oh said, “The imagery blended perfectly with the stage. The digital presentation was so smooth and natural, it felt almost mysterious. I felt as if I had become a celestial being, roaming the heavens. It was truly a magical experience.”

Mr. Han said, “This is my first time encountering a performance that combines digital imagery with live action, especially the use of technology in group performances, which I found fascinating.” He added, “The opening scene was mesmerizing—it felt like being immersed in a dream.”

The couple said they would be recommending this performance. Ms. Oh said, “I want to tell them: come experience this mysterious world! Leave reality behind for a while and embark on a dream-like fantasy.”

“Dance is an art expressed through the body, but today, I truly felt the purification of the soul,” Ms. Lee said.

“The performance today showcased authentic Chinese traditional culture and classical dance, with movements representing different eras. The entire experience was dreamlike, with many gestures seemingly floating through the air—continuous, graceful, and fluid. This is the first time I’ve seen such a performance,” she said.

She was amazed by Shen Yun’s technical stage effects and the live orchestra.

“The music was flawless, almost like listening to a perfect CD. At one point, I wondered if it was truly a live performance, but after observing closely, I realized it was indeed performed live, perfectly integrated with the dance. With such an outstanding orchestra, top-tier dance, and carefully crafted content, it all came together to create a truly exceptional work of integrated art.”

She specifically mentioned some memorable details. “The scene in the peacock dance where the peacock spreads its feathers was breathtakingly beautiful. And the story of the Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai—when the Tang emperor and Lady Yang appeared, I paid special attention to Lady Yang’s costume. It was truly stunning.”

Ms. Lee strongly recommended that families attend Shen Yun together. “Shen Yun is a performance that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to the elderly. While there are many idol or pop concerts nowadays, these events often have age restrictions. Shen Yun, however, is suitable for all ages, especially for children. Today’s kids are often immersed in idol culture and have limited exposure to traditional stories and dance. The 5,000 years of Chinese history and culture presented by Shen Yun is also of great educational value.”

A political reporter, Ms. Lee said her work had been draining in recent months, but “today’s performance truly purified my spirit.”

“Thank you so much to all the hardworking artists! Because of you, I see hope. I believe that China is still a country with a future,” he said after seeing the May 9 performance.

“Watching today’s performance left me feeling incredibly grateful—but also deeply angered,” he said, explaining that he condemned the religious persecution carried out by the Chinese communist regime, which has extended into South Korea.

Traditional Chinese culture is divinely inspired, and this connection between heaven, earth, and humankind is prevalent in Shen Yun’s performances for many audience members. Mr. Kim said this was depicted majestically in the finale, which showed the Creator.

He thought it an inspiring scene for people of today, regardless of their religious background.

“Though the expressions and beliefs may differ, it is the presence of the divine that inspires humility and a desire in humanity to become more virtuous,” he said. Meanwhile, the Chinese communist regime is the antithesis of this, he added, and “using religious differences as a cover to take dirty money from the Chinese Communist Party and block Shen Yun—that’s pure evil.”

Mr. Kim added that universal values of truth, compassion, and forbearance of Falun Gong practitioners portrayed in the performance was deeply moving.

“I was truly grateful to see such kind-hearted people from China,” he said. “The performance showed that there are still people of faith in China—good, sincere people. It reminded me that there are many in China who are genuinely kind and deserving of appreciation.”

“In conclusion, I am deeply grateful to the hardworking Shen Yun artists. Because of you, I’ve seen hope, and I believe China is still a country with hope. Thank you, Shen Yun!” he said.