(Clearwisdom.net)

The audience enjoying Shen Yun Performing Arts, at Suseong Artpia in Daegu, South Korea, on Jan 25

Chinese dance has two main categories: ethnic and folk dance is one, classical dance is the other. Ethnic and folk refer to the different regional and ethnic dance styles that have been passed down through centuries, carrying the unique characteristics of each tradition. But the dance style you will see most at a Shen Yun performance is classical Chinese dance. Through classical Chinese dance, the essence of the universal and glorious traditional Chinese culture is unveiled.

“Direct insight into Chinese history and culture:” Choi Sang Dae, President of the Korean Institute of Architects

Choi Sang Dae, President of the Korean Institute of Architects, Daegu and adjunct professor at the Department of Architectural Design, Yeungnam University, watched Shen Yun

The curtain fell to the sound of thunderous applause in Suseong Artpia in Daegu, South Korea, after the world-renowned Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company concluded its fifth performance in Daegu. After watching the show, Choi Sang Dae, President of the Korean Institute of Architects, Daegu, and adjunct professor at the Department of Architectural Design, Yeungnam University, said, “A world-class production; it reflects the unique charm and spirit of ancient Chinese culture in a spectacular fashion.”

Choi Sang Dae saw Shen Yun last year. Before coming to this year’s performance, he wasn't aware that he would be seeing all new programs. After watching the New York based International Company, he said, “Absolutely new programs; a completely new performance, and a refreshing experience for the audience. [Such a performance] is never easily available. The form of dance offers a direct insight into Chinese history and culture.”

“Dance artists, noted for their world-class mastery, display the unique charm and spirit of traditional Chinese culture in a magnificent fashion,” he said admiringly.

He was fascinated with the presentation of classical literature and legends through the form of dance. The life of cultivation in a monastery is not as dull and lonely as expected. Seeing the innocent and mischievous monks onstage displaying the joys of cultivation, Choi Sang Dae said, “The program about the young Buddhist monks is very entertaining, interesting and special.”

He said ancient Chinese culture had a lot in common with Korean culture, and that the performance struck a chord with him. He found images of goddesses in fairy tales and scenes of heaven very special. As an architect, he was interested in China’s ancient tile-roofed buildings and also the heavenly worlds presented on the animated backdrops. “It brings special feelings into my mind, leaving a deep impression.”

“All the works are great masterpieces.” Kim Seong Hwan

Kim Seong Hwan, president of the Korea Performing Arts Community, former dean of the College of Music at Catholic University of Daegu, and a vocalist, with his wife, Pak Yeon Jin, a student of dance

Kim Seong Hwan, a man with many artistic achievements, watched the Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company show on Jan. 22. President of the Korea Performing Arts Community, former dean of College of Music at Catholic University of Daegu, and a vocalist, Mr. Kim was full of praise during the intermission: “All the works are great masterpieces.”

“All programs are magnificent and extraordinary. The show is extremely powerful. It presents traditional arts as well as contemporary social reality. The feelings are very good,” he said.

Shen Yun uses classical Chinese dance and song to revive the traditional culture of China from 5,000 years ago, up to today.

Mr. Kim attended the show with his wife, who majors in Korean dance and is also a cultural property committee member of Daegu.

“I think not only I, but all of the audience, was very moved,” Mrs. Kim said. “I felt that I had a panoramic view of the whole world.”

“The dancers coordinated harmoniously in the most perfect way. The coordination, entertainment, and the performing skills are excellent and extraordinary.”

Mrs. Kim said Shen Yun’s visual performance was extremely successful. “There were programs presented that transcend time and space. I felt that.”

Mr. Kim said this year's programs were particularly rich, colorful, and energetic. “Every program has its excellent features. I’m looking forward to the programs of the second half.”

“The dances have the surpassing appeal that can replace Eastern and Western dances,” Mr. Kim said. “Because Shen Yun is a very good performance, I believe all people can happily enjoy the show. I hope that people can get an opportunity to ponder the spirit of Falun Gong as well.”

“So glorious. We will lead a better life by confirming the value of praising virtue and punishing evil.” Park Su Jin

Park Su Jin, anchorwoman of CMB TV in Daegu, Korea, praised Shen Yun

Hearing that Shen Yun Performing Arts was a very famous show, Park Su Jin, anchorwoman of CMB TV in Daegu, Korea, had to experience it for herself.

“I had never expected Chinese traditional dances to be so glorious,” she said, after taking in the Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company at Suseong Artpia on Jan. 23.

“I am happy to see such a show in Korea. I was completely amazed by the magnificent Chinese traditional dances. The colors as well as the movements were gorgeous. The programs were very good. With the music, the show was truly spectacular,” she said.

As a TV anchorwoman, Ms. Park understands the importance of presentation. “Shen Yun’s female actors were simply impressively beautiful,” she said. “I felt speechless from the stunning experience of seeing the actors in fairy costumes.”

Live performance on stage adds a dimension one cannot experience through a TV screen. Ms. Park said it was vivid and touching. “One can appreciate the expression on the performers’ faces and the acting skill only through seeing the live show in the theater. It deeply touched our hearts.”

"In addition, the performance was presented in an instant, not like a videotape that you can replay anytime. Although we can watch shows on videotapes, only by attending the show personally can you experience the vivid and vigorous feeling represented by the dancing performers. So it’s more touching,” she said.

The concept of rewarding virtue and punishing evil, which is manifested in the show, is a universal idea for human beings, Ms. Park said. “Although some of the pieces that reflected the reality in China were a bit sorrowful, since they encouraged goodness and punished wickedness, they had bright endings, which gave me a very good feeling.”

“It is my belief that we will lead a better life by confirming the value of rewarding virtue and punishing evil.”

“I've studied literature. Almost all literary and art works contain the idea of rewarding virtue and punishing evil, which brings hope to people in difficulty so that ‘one day, life will be better,’” she said in conclusion.

“Dance, music and backdrops are perfectly fused into a whole”- Jin Bong Kim, Director-General of Korean state-run TV

On the evening of Jan. 22, celebrities from cultural and artistic circles were in attendance at the third performance of New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts in Suseong Artpia in Daegu, South Korea. Jin Bong Kim, Director-General of KBS TV1 Daegu, highly praised the display of ancient Chinese culture and art. “The performance is overwhelmingly touching!” he said.

Mr. Jin said that the Shen Yun performance vividly presented the ancient culture and art of China, which is distinguished by its extensive territory and glorious history. “Watching such a performance gives a Korean like me a chance to better understand Chinese traditions and culture,” he said.

As Director-General of Korean state-run TV, Jin Bong Kim highly praised the many aspects of Shen Yun. “Dance, music and backdrops are perfectly fused into a whole, which forms a very excellent fusion of art as a whole. This is its distinguishing feature.”

He also highly praised the classical Chinese dance, saying: “Male dancers display masculinity, in contrast to the elegance and beauty of the female dancers.”

He was also impressed by the music presented by the Shen Yun International Company Orchestra which combines Chinese and Western instruments like no other. He admired the musical performance for “fully presenting elements of traditional Chinese music.”

Mr. Jin was deeply impressed with the dance Our Story, which depicts Falun Gong practitioners’ courage in the face of persecution. “Particularly impressive is the program about the persecution of the teacher who teaches her students truth, compassion, and tolerance. The teacher and students who bravely stand against evil left a deep impression on me.”