Korea: Deeply Moved by the First Performance of Divine Performing Arts

Having given seventy performances in more than thirty cities around the world, the Divine Performing Arts (DPA) deeply moved the audience with its first show in Seoul on April 24th, 2007. The Dom Art Hall was filled to its two-thousand-seat capacity. Political VIPs, foreign representatives in Korea, professionals, business VIPs, nuns and monks and local residents were greatly moved by the performance of Divine Performing Arts.

In Korea, where Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism are deeply rooted in all walks of life, people gained a further understanding of righteous cultivation culture conveyed through the performance of the Divine Performing Arts. Applause was heard throughout the show. At the end of the show, the audience gave wave after wave of applause, sharing their excitement and appreciation. No words could describe the emotion that Divine Performing Arts brought to the nation with their profound performance reaching back to the Tang Dynasty.

I. Praise from Politicians

Taiwanese Official: Divine Performing Arts Presented the Best Introduction to Chinese Culture

Mr. Yu Chaoping, Director of the Cultural Division of Taipei Mission in Korea, said that Divine Performing Arts (DPA) presented the essence of Chinese culture. The Korean people gained a new experience of Chinese culture and learned of their deep origin and the close relationship between their history and the Chinese nation. He said that Divine Performing Arts was great entertainment as well as the best introduction to Chinese culture.

Mr. Yu said the Korean culture presented by the Korean Wave and the Chinese culture presented by the DPA had things in common, which was the presentation of the best, most compassionate and the most truthful. Both displayed truthfulness, compassion and beauty.

Mr. Yu said that culture has no national boundary. The Korean culture had been influenced by the Chinese culture. The Divine Performing Arts show had not only had a positive influence on the exchange between the people of both countries, but also promotes multiculturalism around the world by touching people of other cultures and motivating people to learn about another culture.

Peace Ambassador Learned Essence of Chinese Arts and Urged CCP to Stop Persecution

Three-term Peace Ambassador of the International United NGO and nominee for the Nobel Prize, Kim Huw-yee and his wife, an expert on dance, watched the show and gave it a lot of praise. They loved every performance. "As expected, I saw the essence of Chinese arts. I have heard about the various minority groups in China. It was great to see performances that displayed the characteristics of many of the minority groups!"

Mr. Kim said, "I have been to China but haven't seen Chinese dance before. I have experienced a very unique art today. I made the right decision to come today." Mr. Kim said that the dance, "To the Rightful Place" showed the gods taking the spirit of the dead to Heaven. It presented the unity of Heaven and the people, and salvation. He expressed his wish for the Chinese government to understand the truth of Falun Gong and to stop the persecution.

Mr. Kim expressed his indignation at the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) attempted obstruction of the show in Korea. He said, "What Divine Performing Arts has brought is an art of pure beauty and compassion. It is very ignorant and enraging that the CCP's embassy overreacted to it. As a democratic country, the Korean government didn't assist the arts group but interfered with it many times. As a Korean, I feel embarrassed."

Former Councilwoman Brought Three Generations of Her Family to Watch the Show

A former Councilwoman brought her son, her grandson and granddaughter to watch the show. She praised the show highly afterwards: "It is a rare and high-quality show! The lineup and the different performances are magnificent, imposing and very touching! It has presented the whole history of China. That is the most significant part of the show."

Regarding the obstructions by the CCP, she said, "No matter where it is, art should be understood and accepted as art. Nobody should resist the value of art based on his own ideas. Doing so will lead him farther and farther away from art."

She also pointed out the thought-provoking nature of the show in addition to its entertainment value. "We should think about the word 'Divine.' Every movement of the dancers made use feel so peaceful."

Taiwanese Official in Korea Said that Divine Performing Arts Fully Presented the Essence of the Five Thousand Year Old Chinese Culture

Mr. Zhao, Associate Director of the Culture Division of the Taipei Mission in Korea expressed his admiration for the show. He said he gained a better understanding and appreciation of traditional Chinese culture. After seeing the dance, "To the Righteous Place," he believed that gods and Buddhas protect the good and punish the evil.

He said, "All the artists and singers showed great accomplishment and gave top-level performances. I admire them a lot. It was a perfect show. It touched the spirit of every life. I would like to express my deepest admiration and appreciation to DPA for spreading the beauty of the Chinese culture to Korea."

Mr. Zhao Yihong, Publicity Director of the Taipei Mission in Korea, said that both the songs and dances fully presented the five-thousand-year-long Chinese Culture. He felt that each performance was great. "A Dunhuang Dream" showed the Buddha School culture. The Dunhuang Cave is well known in Korea. He said that it was great that this dance could be shown in Korea.

II. Promoters of Korean Wave Were Moved

Promoters of the Korean Wave were attracted to Divine Performing Arts' show. The author of the "Korean Wave" said he was very moved. DPA seemed to have brought a spiritual message. He said that the Chinese culture has touched people throughout the world. He hoped that Korean culture would become as well known around the world as Chinese culture is.

Gods Help People Revive Humanity and Return to Righteous Way

Mr. Choi Ryuk-sang, representative of Heart Korea and a promoter of the Korean Wave said that the show had a strong rhythm and rich content. The audience experienced the spirit of Divine Performing Arts through magnificent costumes, dance and music.

Mr. Choi said, "The songs, music and dances of DPA all conveyed the message that Gods will bring a bright future to the world of man and help people revive the spiritual dimension of humanity." Having a great command of traditional culture, Mr. Choi said that he could feel that the show had a clear theme, but added that the meaning of the show is not limited to just that.

Mr. Choi said Gods wanted to send a message to people, that human beings should live like human beings. Everything in the show, including the backdrops, the music and the story about the persecution of Falun Gong, sent this message. No matter how advanced a civilisation is, if morality is downgraded and humanity eliminated, man could not accomplish the goal of returning to heaven by himself. The only way to heaven has to be via a righteous way. It is only when man believes that gods can help him accomplish this goal, will he rely on Gods and follow what Gods say.

Poem by Kim Sok-chin, Director of the Society for the Promotion of Eastern Culture

Congratulations on Divine Performing Arts' Show in Korea

On a beautiful day in April,
Three thousand people gather to watch a gorgeous show.
A place where Tang Dynasty culture is promoted,
Divine Performance Arts tours around the world.

III. Nuns and Monks Moved by Compassion

Many people affiliated with religion were attracted to the show on April 24th and April 25th. A nun praised the show, saying, "I could feel the mightiness of Gods throughout the show. The costumes were magnificent like fairy ladies' clothes." She felt the presence of Gods. "I truly experienced a very strong power. My spirit was moved by every movement of the artists."

She was most impressed by the dance, "A Dunhuang Dream." "It gave me a feeling of watching a heavenly scene. I felt a kind of power. Power from humans cannot be as strong as that from Gods." "Every performance had spiritual meaning. Every one of them was perfect. The costumes and dance movements are great!"

The Show Makes People Feel the Existence of Gods

Another nun had the same feeling. She said, "I also felt the existence of Gods. The power was instilled in every aspect of the show. Every dance and all the song lyrics showed it. I think the feeling of holiness is connected to the culture of our ancestors. The name of the arts group makes you feel the existence of Gods... All the performances including the songs and dances showed that everything was in the hands of Gods. So, every performance made me feel a strong power." She also said, "It is intermission now. I feel so comfortable that I don't want to get up, because there is a kind of glory that I don't want to leave. I have forgotten how the time passed. The things we nuns should observe and repeat in our mind are all in the performance. It is very moving in the moral aspect. Everyone, old and young, man and woman, would think that it is beautiful."

Producer is Definitely a Great Person

A monk said that the dance, "Creation" was so moving. He could feel the compassion in the performance. Both the music and colours were solemn. He said that an ordinary person has no way to create such a performance. Only a great person could produce such a moving performance. He said that after watching the show, one should know to return to his origin. Such a show could purify people's hearts and make them kind.

A nun named Alice said she felt something transcending any nation and any religion in the show. Many religions are actually connected. Gods in religions are superior beings. The show reminded people to respect divine culture.

A God-fearing Culture Is True Culture

Concerning the dance, "A Dunhuang Dream," Alice said, "I can understand the sculptor's wish to create great sculptures of Buddha, because we also cultivate ourselves and respect Gods and want to become like them. Having such a wish is cultivation. A culture that respects Gods is true culture.

Alice said, "Isn't such a culture a heart-cultivating culture?" She said that only cultivation of the heart would make people compassionate and tolerant, and make people care about others. Alice expressed her admiration for the message conveyed by the show.

What the CCP Gained Could Never Make Up for Its Loss

Out of admiration for Divine Performing Arts, Abbot Lee generously invited one hundred and fifty monks in his temple to the show.

Abbot Lee admired Divine Performing Arts for presenting the five-thousand-year-old culture within such a short time. It wasn't easy to accommodate such a variety of time periods and ethnicities, including Mongolian, Tibetan and Dunhuang culture. Abbot Lee had even more admiration for the Falun Gong practitioners who stood fast on their faith under cruel persecution.

Regarding the CCP's attempted obstruction of the show, Abbot Lee said it was very wrong to apply pressure to the arts. The five-thousand-year-old Chinese culture was brilliant. What the CCP gained could not make up for its loss.

Learning the Facts of the Persecution after Watching the Performance

A nun said that she was touched deeply and impressed with the costumes. She was also moved by the dance, "To the Rightful Place," in which a Falun Gong practitioner was tortured to death but a divine being brought her to heaven. After watching the performance, she better understood the facts of the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

IV. People in the Legal Field: Message about Human Rights Very Important

The director of the North Korea Human Rights United Investigation Team first congratulated the Divine Performing Arts on their performance in Korea. He said that the whole performance was rich and colourful. It is important to spread information about human rights issues through the medium of artistic performance, especially issues related to the rights of Falun Gong practitioners in China. He indicated that it was inconceivable that the Chinese Embassy tried to interfere with the performance. Why did South Korea give into pressure from the CCP? He said that the reaction of the South Korean government was disappointing.

Arts Cannot Be Interfered with by Politics

An officer working in a court in Seoul said, after watching the performance, that he was very moved. As for the CCP's interference with the performance, he said that the CCP was wrong since freedom of belief is affirmed in Korea. If such an arts performance is interfered with due to political or economic reasons, then world culture is backward.

He emphasised that arts and culture transcend nationality and that the arts cannot be blocked for political purposes or other reasons. Through such a performance, all people share the culture and learn what righteousness is.

His wife also watched the performance and said that she wished there would be religious freedom soon in China.

V. Praise from the Media

Reporter: Very Coordinated Dancing

After the performance, a reporter from the Open North Korea Radio Station said that he had seen true Chinese culture for the first time. He enjoyed it very much, adding that there was no opportunity in Korea to see such performances. The performance reflects Chinese history. The dancing was gentle and very well coordinated, just like a single dancer performing. The costumes were colourful and luxurious. Such a performance cannot be seen on Korean TV. He was impressed.

Broadcast Expert: Divine Performing Arts Revives Chinese Traditional Culture

The deputy director of Northeast Asia Broadcast Association and shortwave broadcast expert watched the performance. He said it was rare to see this kind of performance in Korea. He was very appreciative.

He said that it was hard to find real Chinese culture even in China nowadays. He said emotionally, "Why does the CCP regime interfere with a performance that spreads Chinese culture? Is it that Chinese culture cannot be seen by others? It is inconceivable. This peaceful traditional culture is the basis of society. Since the CCP gained power, the traditional culture has been damaged. From the point view of Chinese people, Divine Performing Arts is reviving Chinese roots."

VI. Praise from the Arts Circle

High School Dance Teacher: It Is the Best Example of Chinese Dancing

A dance teacher from a Chinese High School in Seoul brought her students to watch the performance. She thought that the dancing was performed to a very high standard and praised the troupe for touring the world to promote Chinese culture.

She urged her students, "Watch this first-class dancing carefully. I'll ask you about the performances and expressions you have observed." She was impressed with each item on the programme. She was in Korea for the third time to teach dancing. She said that seldom is one able to watch pure Chinese dancing. She said, "The performance is so beautiful."

Professor of Western Painting: Rich and Diverse Performance

A retired professor of Western art at a Korean women's university and renowned artist was impressed with the backdrop screens. He said he liked most the programme, "Forsythia in Spring": "The multiple colours, changing hand gestures, and changing forms were very refreshing."

Principal Dancer in Seoul Dance Troupe: Outstanding Director

The director of the Korea Institute of Traditional Dance Choreography and the principal dancer said the director of Divine Performing Arts is at a very high level. The choreography, dancing and music presented a rich feeling, striking a sympathetic chord and causing the audience to feel the warmth of friendship.

She said the costumes in the dance, "Ladies of the Manchu Court" was impressive. Those dancers appeared nimble, gentle and righteous. The graceful atmosphere was clearly outstanding.

She said the dance, "Snowy Mountain, White Lotus" made people feel the peace and love of the Tibetan people, transcending religion.

Korean Drum Choreographer: The Performance Praises God and Divine Beings, Indicating the Kindness of Human Nature

A Korean drum choreographer said that she never saw Chinese traditional dance before and felt it very refreshing. She was impressed with the programme, "A Dunhuang Dream," which had a wonderful backdrop. She was also impressed with "To the Rightful Place."

Renowned Ceramic Artist: Reviving Traditional Culture Can Correct the History Twisted by CCP

A renowned ceramic artist living in another city made a special trip to watch the performance. He praised the show, saying, "The performance is wonderful." He was especially impressed and moved by the dance, "The Loyalty of Yu Fei."

He said, "Culture is passed down after developing for a very long time. East Asian culture has been developing for thousands of years. No matter which race, righteous culture cannot be complete if there is a broken part."

He said that frankly that he did not like the CCP since the CCP does not tolerate traditional culture. The CCP twists history. It is dangerous. He said that to correct history, righteous culture must be revived.

A Family of Three Generations Closed their Restaurant for a Day so they Could Watch the Performance

Mr. Wang has lived in Korea for three generations. In order to see the performance, he closed his restaurant for the day. Mr. Wang said his friends in Taiwan told him about the show in Korea and said that its excellence could not be expressed with language. After the report about the CCP's interference, he and his family wanted to know why and decided to see the performance for themselves.

During the intermission, he said he was moved to tears and felt purified, "Who am I? Why have I come to the human world? I've believed in God since I was young." His nearly 80-year-old mother said, "It was great! I'll come back to see the show next year!"

Warm Response and One More Show Added

The Divine Performing Arts troupe has toured more than thirty cities throughout the world. Wherever it goes audiences were very moved, as the performance presents the essence of the five thousand year old traditional Chinese culture.

Although the Korean government cancelled the performance contract due to the CCP's pressure, the Korean public had huge interest in the show. Tickets for the two scheduled shows were sold out within two days. The organising committee decided to add one more show on the afternoon of April 25th.

During the first two shows, the troupe received congratulations from Korean people of all walks of life. A Member of the Korean Parliament, the Taiwan representative in Korea and the Seoul Chinese High School presented large bundles of flowers to congratulate the successful performance.

The Korean people, with their long history and cultural development, understand the inner connotations of the performance by Divine Performing Arts. This was shown by warm applause during the performance, and long, sustained applause at the end of the show.