SEOUL—The U.S. Divine Performing Arts formally opened its run in Korea at 7:30 pm on April 24. The 2,000-seat Dorm Art Hall in Coex Theater was filled to capacity. Audience members came from all walks of life, including government officials, professionals, businessmen, monks and nuns and citizens from various parts of the country.
The atmosphere was extraordinarily passionate. The last number, "Resounding Drums," brought five curtain calls; the clapping went on even after the curtain fell.
The president of the Korean Culture Research Institute (Hallyu Academy), the author of the "Hallyu" stories, Kang Chul Kun said that he was very touched by the performance. Chinese culture is a worldwide culture, he told reporters; it was as if the Divine Performing Arts had brought a spiritual message to the people. He thought that the Chinese culture has greatly affected people in the world and hopes that Korean culture could become a worldwide culture like Chinese culture as well.
He said that the programs were perceptive and touching because beautiful arts enhance humankind. The Erhu piece and "A Dunhuang Dream" moved him the most. These programs enabled world culture and belief to be heightened through an art form, he said.
Lim Young Chul who has a Ph.D in Korean Chinese medicine, specializing in researching Korea-China traditional cultural history, said that Korean dramas such as "Jewel in the Palace (Dae Jang Geum)" have brought about a strong "Hallyu." This is because the yearning for beauty and the pursuit of benevolence by the characters in these drama ignite a resonance with viewers.
The beautiful things in these Korean dramas are actually extracted from ancient Chinese culture, he explained. It is only that traditional Chinese culture is promoted to the world through the form of the "Hallyu". The quintessence of the "Hallyu" actually originated from China.
Former congressman and incumbent U.N. ambassador of peace, Kim Ho Il and his wife Lee Kyoung Yeol, also a professional Korean dancer, made a special trip to see the show. Kim told the reporter that he liked every program in the show. He said, "I have seen the true essence of the Chinese arts."
Kim also said that the program "To the Rightful Place" expresses that the Gods in heaven have come to earth to rescue the dying ones to bring them back to heaven. It represents the unity of heaven and man enabling a living being to attain health and offer salvation to souls.
Former Chongju-shi City Councilperson Kwon Soon Ok came to the show with her son, grandson and granddaughter. She said after the show, "The show presented the entire Chinese history in front of us. I think this is of the most profound significance."
She pointed out that the Divine Performance Arts not only provides the audience with great artistic entertainment, its content stirs up deep thoughts. She said, with deep feelings, "We should think carefully about the meaning of the word Divine. Every movement of the performers makes us feel infinitely peaceful, physically and spiritually."
People from all walks of life expressed their views about the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) interference in presenting of the performances of the Divine Performing Arts in Korea by the.
Seoul Western District Court Administrative Department Head Oh Houng Seon said during an interview, "I think we should affirm the freedom of conscience and the freedom of religion. The CCP tried to use its power to keep people from going to the show. I think it is wrong."
Former congressman Kim Ho Il said, "The performance by Divine Performing Arts is an art of pure benevolence and pure beauty. The CCP Embassy's over-sensitive reaction to such a beautiful show is very foolish and infuriating. As a democratic country, not only did Korean society fail to assist the performing team in carrying out the performance, but on the contrary, allowed interferences to happen repeatedly, As a Korean, I feel very ashamed."
The U.S. Divine Performing Arts is the anchor of the annual NTDTV Chinese New Year show. The Divine Performing Arts has toured over 30 cities in North America, Europe, and Asia for more than 80 shows, reaching more than 20,000 audiences in total.
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