GWANGJU, South Korea—Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company presented a magnificent performance at the Gwangju Culture & Art Center on the afternoon of April 11. “It was really wonderful! The backdrops and dancers were even more superb and touching than what I heard of before, as if the performance was done by fairies.
It was a perfect demonstration of the 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture. I look forward to next year’s performance,” exclaimed Mr. Kim Young Jin, director of Sejong TV’s Broadcasting Department, after he attended the Shen Yun performance with his wife, Hong Mei Ying, on April 11.
Mr. Kim said, “I was especially impressed by the scenes displaying the Monkey King jumping into and out of the river [Sand Monk Is Blessed]. Not only were these scenes really fascinating, but the music and sound effect were overwhelming as well. I'll tell those who haven’t seen this kind of performance before all about it. The synchronization of music, backdrops and dances was really amazing.
“I enjoyed the live accompaniment of the orchestra. All of the dancers’ movements were in great unison. Their performance was splendid, and their costumes were brilliant and very beautiful. Performers’ harmonization with the images on the backdrops was all marvelous.”
“The synchronization of the three elements (dances, backdrops and music) was amazing. At first, I simply expected that part of the show would be good, but it turned out that the entire show was so spectacular. After seeing the two-and-a-half-hour demonstration of the 5,000-year history, I would like to introduce Shen Yun to more people, so that it will be an extravaganza again when Shen Yun performs in Gwangju next time,” he said.
As the president of Gwangju Jeollanam-do Branch of the Korean Youth Culture Artistic Development Association and former organization committee member of the 12th Korea International Youth Film Festival, Kim Young Jin said, “This is my first time watching Shen Yun, and I felt it was really fantastic. I saw part of the 5,000 years of the Chinese culture that I hadn’t understood. I look forward to Shen Yun performances in the future.
“The combination of dynamic backdrops and stage was really spectacular. In particular, the scenes that dancers flew to the backdrops, etc. were amazing. No wonder it gains in popularity around the world. I feel like telling many people that this is a fantastic performance.
“From the perfectly organized performances, I felt the inner grace of the dancers. The opening piece Descending to the World and other programs relating to the legendary story Journey to the West, [Sand Monk Is Protected], and the one relating to the Shaolin Temple [When Shaolin Monks Protected the Emperor] were especially interesting,” he said.
“Korean culture is preserved, but what has been done for traditional Chinese culture [by Shen Yun] seems to be much better.
“I had read Shen Yun promotional materials previously, but after seeing the show in person, I found that the performance, including the live orchestra, is impeccable and really very remarkable.”
In terms of the music, he said, “Shen Yun’s music is superb. As to the blend of Eastern and Western musical instruments, it is something that I had never heard before. The coordination of the performance on stage, backdrops and music was seamless.”
Mr. Kim’s wife, Hong Mei Ying, echoed her husband’s sentiments. “It is a pity that the wonderful traditional Chinese culture doesn’t seem to be found in China any more. It is great to appreciate the Chinese culture by sitting here [watching Shen Yun].
“I really enjoyed the programs depicting the harmonization between gods and humans, such as the piece displaying the scene that gods came to the aid of persecuted Falun Gong practitioners.”
She stressed, “If people in China could see Shen Yun, they would definitely see hope.”
