Curtain call for the DPA's last show in Korea lasted for 10 minutes (The Epoch Times)
(Clearwisdom) The final performance of the Divine Performing Arts (DPA) 2009 World Tour in Seoul reached a crescendo as an impassioned audience begged for five curtain calls.
DPA is inspired by the spirit of ancient China before its culture eroded under communism. The shows have been sensational in South Korea from its opening in Daegu on January 30. Amid thunderous applause and calls for more, the curtain finally fell on the final, eleventh show performed on Sunday, February 8 at the Universal Arts Center in Seoul.
The appreciative audience included many celebrities from Korean literary and art circles, who seized the opportunity to see the lavish performance while they had the chance.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) threatened to stop the shows by putting pressure on theaters in Daegu and Seoul to break their venue contracts, but to no avail.
Renowned Korean baritone Mr. Shin Gyugon. (The Epoch Times)
According to the show's promoter, the Chinese embassy threatened theater staff at the Universal Arts Center with non-issues regarding visas, extending its threat to South Korea's business investments in China should the show go ahead.
However, DPA was cleared to perform after the Seoul Local Court ruled in its favor on February 3.
Rumors also circulated in local Chinese communities that, "Chinese people will get fined should they go to the show," and the blame was laid at the feet of the Communist regime.
A Chinese immigrant, Mr. Han, discovered this when he purchased show tickets and asked the staff why there was such a "ridiculous rule." When he learned that the CCP was using underhanded tactics to fool and threaten people, he responded angrily, "I'm over 70 years old, and I've experienced too many things. I am not afraid--I want to see the show."
The theater was packed for the last performance of the Divine Performing Arts in Korea. (The Epoch Times)
The CCP's tactics didn't stop other Chinese people, either. Many came to the show excited to share in the experience.
Chinese mainlander Wang Zhen (an alias to protect her identity) told an Epoch Times reporter with a sigh, "Now, I see ... there are maybe a lot of people still deluded by the Communist regime, but there are certainly more people who have already seen through its evil nature and are standing on the side of the truth."
Ms. Wang has lived in Korea for two years: "I am so moved after watching the show. I want to tell all my friends to come see it."
Mr. Yu, who migrated to Korea three years ago, said, "I am extremely moved after seeing the show. I didn't even want to blink my eyes so I wouldn't miss any details. I feel so relaxed, peaceful, and calm. I forgot all my worries."
Mr. Jin, a construction contractor from China, told the reporter, "It is a magnificent show--truly beautiful. How should I put it? It is extremely heartbreaking. The things I did not believe in the past, I feel to be true today--feel it very deep down in my heart. I am totally changed because of the show. It's really moving. I say it from the bottom of my heart."
Rising Korean movie star Lee Nagyeong.
The show in Seoul was only finalized a day before the performance due to the CCP's interference. Promotion of the show was done in a very limited time, but it still had a huge impact. Many celebrities from the arts, culture, and entertainment circles were deeply touched by DPA's "excellent performance."
Korean Movie Performer Association Chair Mr. Yoon Yangha praised the show as "remarkable work." Renowned Korean actress Ms. Yu Ungye said, "People should not just watch the Divine shows with their eyes, they should remember it deep down in their memory. Everyone should see the show."
Ms. Yu is well known among Chinese audiences for her role as the court lady Jung in the famous Korean TV series Dai Janggeum.
Renowned Korean baritone Mr. Shin Gyugon brought his family of four to the show. He said, "I feel that only the DPA shows unveil [true] human nature and the meaning of life. No other performance could compare with this. The inner meaning of the performance shows the nobility of life."
Curtain call for the DPA's last show in Korea. (The Epoch Times)
Mr. Shin continued, "It is a show for all musicians, dance artists, actors, social life mentors, religious leaders, and so on. Nowadays, people are stuck in materialism--corruption is so severe in current society. If everyone sees the show, society will brighten. People's morality will improve."
Rising Korean movie star Lee Nagyeong told the reporter, "I think the dance program of the minority people in the steep, high mountains ("Dance of the Yi") was awesome. If I were a dancer, I would like to dance with them on the stage to wear those beautiful skirts."
DPA has left Korea and is now Japan, where it will perform in Tokyo, Nagoya, Hiroshima, and Osaka.
http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/11747/
Category: Shen Yun Performing Arts