All the bots posting comments about how good Shen Yun is, you can tell by their usernames

I saw it with my dad for his birthday a few years ago, and I thought it was beautiful as a dance/theater nerd. But then I looked it up and was like "...oh"

I saw shen yun this year in january. it was really pretty but i got the impression from the dancers that is probably rather stressful. they all seemed lively but also souless in their eyes. I don't know much about theater/movies and art but I do know its rather cut throat with intense expectations.

This video is so well made! Why does it not have more views? It’s such a nuanced video with a deep engagement and so many good points

This is such a fascinating topic that went places I was not expecting. Thank you for putting so much time and research into this and thanks for including a link to your bibliography. I'm going to be revisiting this video in the future for sure, several great bits of history and humor in this. The Winnie the Pooh bit got me good. And...wow! Great closing line!

Thank you for this…I was given tickets by a family member and saw the show last night. After leaving, something just felt very…off about the whole experience. I couldn’t quite articulate WHY, but you have done a fantastic job of laying out everything. I also saw many people leave at intermission, and those of us who stayed were obviously giving each other sideways glances during the political pieces and the songs.

What a fantastic video. I can't imagine how long this took to put together.

Thank you for saving me tons of money and time trying to go see this! I'm glad I looked this up and watched. New sub :)

THANK YOU for making this video!! So much research presented in a fabulously easy to digest way. I went down a wikipedia hole and got dizzy reading about all this!

The bad things ive heard sbout them stem from their training facility. Like child abuse and stuff. Without thisr facts they seem harmless but if those rumors were true, well... they would be doing some very material harm

Excellent video, wow you did so much work, and presented everything so nicely. Thank you!

Oh my, 😳 I'm learning a lot. I received a flyer/brochure in the mail that they will be performing at a theater 🎭 near me. The pictures and colors are beautiful. That's what drew me to search for more information about the show. Thanks for the information about the history of, 'SHEN YUN'. 👍🏾

How do you not have a million subscribers? I just discovered your channel and it’s fantastic 🎉 I can’t wait to see what you put out in the future

Really cool video! I'm surprised there aren't that many views. One suggestion I have is to put in chapter timestamps since the video is quite long.

D.F. would be Falun Dafa in the order proper names are presented in China with last name first: Dafa Falun. You'd have to assume that he would call himself Falun Dafa as his alter-nym, pseudonym, which for a cult leader is par for the course.

I saw the performance in Duluth, MN. It was well attended and I didn’t notice empty seats after the intermission. I am a Christian and not a practitioner of Fulong Dafa. But there is no doubt that the CCP has brutally targeted these followers as well as Christians and Uyghers for horrific persecution including organ harvesting. If anyone doubts this I suggest following Bitter Winter, an Italian publication focusing on religious persecution throughout the world. My heart goes out to all those who have family in China and I think it imperative that all people of good will join to oppose the CCP which has caused so much harm to the people of China.

just came from my first shen yun performance and although the dancing and music was very beautiful, they messaging felt uncomfortably like propaganda

This is exactly what cults do on people. Everyone that is defending the show as if it was their creation in the coments can't see that it is, in fact, propaganda for something bigger than just a beautiful show. In conclusion, most of the comments in this video and other platforms of people that have seen the show always say the same. Yes, it is a beautiful show of beautiful dances and music and everything, but the message left them feeling weird in an almost disturbed way, and this video is the explanation of why that sensation.

Personally i think Falun Gong is a great practice, the beliefs are really not that different to any other traditional religion. When they say they are the only ones reviving Chinese classical dance it refers to the way of moving they teach, it really is not the same as the Beijing dance academy which already has a lot of modern dance infused in it. Classical chinese dance did not start in the 50’s, it has a long history and was originally part of martial arts for 1000’s of years. I am learning the same curriculum that SY teaches, and it is pretty profound.

Sir, thank you for doing this work. I was considering buying a couple tickets as gifts for Xmas. I started to do a bit of research to understand the origins and why the ads have been in my face for a decade. All I could find was fluff and propaganda. I came over to KZfaq to find exactly what you have here. You up-rooted all the things, and damn this runs deep. Thank you, so much! I will not be supporting this. I want to kiss your mind. ❤️. And also, I subscribed to your channel because you obviously cross your T's and dot your I's. Thanks again.

Wow, amazing presentation! I went to see this 'show' years ago. As you stated, the marketing does not even mention any association with Falun Gong, presenting itself as a merely a dance and cultural show. I felt completely deceived by the ruthless and out of context propaganda inserted into the show without any preparation. I am certainly no fan of the dictatorial regime with an appalling human rights record and a belligerent leadership that may endanger peace in the region and potentially much beyond, but this enterprise is something else! I do think they may do themselves a disservice with these shows. However, somehow they are still profitable as many years have passed and Shen Yun is still around, perhaps even more active now.

Amazing video. Seriously underrated channel. Hope you get the recognition you deserve

Such a thorough piece!!!

This is very upsetting. For years, I have wanted to go see a Shen Yun performance. To me, it's appeal is strictly artistic. I finally purchased a ticket to go see a performance. So, of course, I come across this article. Now, there's a cloud over my enthusiasm to see the performance. Not sure I want to try to cancel my ticket (I probably can't anyway). I think I will go and just try to enjoy the performance in spite of this article. I just want to enjoy a great performance!

Saw it last night and was soooo uncomfortable with the blatant religious propaganda

I think it's interesting that you haven't mentioned social media. For example China Uncensored and America Uncovered are two of the Falun Gong's major social media outlets.

Excellent video essay. Thank you for making this. I hope many watch this for your thorough, logical, well-reasoned treatment of this question!

I've been wondering about this for actual ever

They seem to be going door to door in residential neighborhoods now. Got a flyer tacked to our door the other day. In UTAH

I watched this show twice, both in Taiwan. The first show was in Taipei, 2019. The second time was a week ago, in Miaoli County. This is really a magnificent show, perfect technical moves from all dancers. The music was great, too. I was really in tears when I saw the first performance of the show. 5000 years of glorious civilization of China is back! I will definitely watch this show many more times in the future. Hopefully Shen Yun will come to perform in Vietnam, my home country.

another banger! So well researched and a topic I've thought about but never looked up myself. That Winnie the Pooh bit 😂😂

Very interesting video, thanks a lot! Here is my view of it: I am a Russian immigrated to Canada 18 years ago and a big lover of East Asia. I actually have a university degree in East Asian Studies (focusing on Japan, I know Japanese language). As a Russian, I am also i huge lover of ballet. In two weeks from now I am going to see Shen Yun performance here in Toronto for the second time (the first one was before COVID). I loved it first time (and since I read all Chinese classical literature like 'Dream of the Red Chamber' and 'Journey to the West' I can enjoy these dances more than other less prepared audience), and I am sure I will love it again. To be honest, I never heard of Falun Gong until I watched your video. Maybe they mentioned something about it in the hallways of the theater, I didn't pay attention. As a person born in another communist country (USSR) I know how twisted can be mind of those running from the totalitarian regime. I don't blame them for organizing this cult, and, honestly, I don't want to know about it. I enjoy Shen Yun show as a manifestation of absolutely amazing dance combined with classical Chinese content that I love. Unfortunately, modern China (as well as modern Russia) don't have much to offer to the world and even their political opposition doesn't deserve western/civilized world approval. Still, it is a great dance show.

Very interesting, well-researched video! Love how you mentioned the concept of invention of tradition, which they seem to be doing a lot

That soft power thing ~ I do love to watch some Chinese dramas, and it does help me to understand and therefore like the Chinese people more. And to be clear, I don’t think it’s wrong to see and enjoy a culture’s arts, food, etc. In fact, isn’t learning about each other & therefore understanding each other a good thing that brings global peace & unity? I think so. Also to be clear ~ just because I love Cdrama and Chinese food, hanfu, arts, & etc, doesn’t mean I love their government. In my mind, the people are separate from their government. I feel this way about people throughout the world. I really do believe that most people are good, despite their government. And I feel like it’s ok to enjoy the beauty of Shen Yun as well without being swayed by their propaganda. Look, the Chinese had so much ripped away from them in the Great Leap Forward, isn’t it understandable that they might turn to something that seemed to offer some sort of religious value? I’m not a falun gong person, I don’t believe it for a second, but I can see why they might turn to it, and why it might go big in China. It does come across as a bit cult-ish. Anyway, I thought the Shen Yun dancers performed beautifully, and the costumes were really beautiful. Supporting a cult? Uuuhhhhh……that doesn’t feel good, but supporting those dancers? They really did do a beautiful job!

Very good video essay, first time I come across your channel, and I'm under the impression you have a thoughtful and skeptic mind at work, this video seemed well researched and very well spoken and written, I enjoyed. Not knowing anything about shen Yun I came across it's advertising recently and I was planning on seeing it, I think you've helped me make a better decision

Yeah, nice video. BUT, just there's some mistakes in those infos. By the time you were recording this video, Shen Yun was already performing in Brazil.

There was another Chinese dance group back in the 90s that was similar to this company, does anyone remember that groups name?

Thank you so much for your time to provide us this information.

Went to see Shen Yun in London. Totally amazing! The costumes and dancing were breathtaking. They could ease up on the political persecution representations. While what is happening is awful, I felt that one example through dance would have been sufficient to get the message across, anything beyond that and you risk alienating your paying audience. ❤

I'm no fan of the CCP, and when Falun Gong was first banned in China, I was completely on their side. A few years ago I even went to a Shen Yun show, enjoyed the display of Chinese physical culture (which is quite real among these people), and was indifferent to the propaganda. But the second they aligned themselves with Trump his neofascists here in America, I became completely disenchanted with them. It seemed hypocritical and gratuitous that they would jump on the Trump bandwagon, thus supporting and abetting the destruction of democracy in this country, even as they decry the curtailment of their human rights in China.

Thanks for doing this video. I was familiar with the Epoch Times, and I know to avoid anything connected to them.

Bro Brazil IS in "the West" too. And also there are performances of Shen Yun in Brazil. Thats why Im whtching this video also. Little corretiction, loved the video.

I was wondering where you were going with the Winnie the Pooh skit, but a second after it ended, I remembered a certain leader in China had that nickname. Nice one. LOL

Want to watch even more now.

They're very well trained in classical ballet. Who and where were they trained?

Amazing channel!! You deserve so many more subscribers

Why does it feel like these top comments didn't really watch this video at all?

great video man keep it up

this video is well made and as someone who lives near dragon springs this is well made i see this alot and im happy to see people talk about it

I haven't seen it, but i have tickets next week. I'm excited. I also watched the nutcracker recently. I'm not pro or anti China, at all. Just want to see a great performance.

Holy shit! This is fascinating! I just saw an ad for the 2023 Shen Yun show and there were all of these "important" type people (with their job titles below) talking about how it was SO AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL that it was almost a religious experience for them. Well, I just thought the dancing was visually pleasing (even though it wasn't completely TRADITIONAL Chinese - but very western ballet as well), so I checked out how much the tickets would be. A bit pricey so I decided I would rather wait and see if I could find some videos later on. Now I've listened to you and I can totally see what you're saying! It's almost as if the communist propaganda effected these people so deeply (is so deeply ingrained) that they're totally fine using themselves to swing people THEIR way via propaganda (in a more abstract and artistic way), because they BELIEVE they are right. So even though they are against the communist propaganda, they are still stuck in a cycle of propaganda (just in a completely different way). The idea of Falun Gong, sounds wonderful, but "D.F." just seems like another shady communist MASTER CONMAN. You're quite intelligent and seem to have a knack for finding relevant information! I'll bet YOUR BRAIN works faster than YOUR BRAIN can compute! HAHA!

just discovered your channel through this video and wow!! Your videos are great!! Happy to become a subscriber

I took my 10 year old son to see Shen Yun this year. He absolutely loved it and we will go again when we can.

They are preforming in Dominican Republic too, from february the first to the seventh, in two cities, Santo Domingo and Santiago, the two largest cities here

I went through a pleasant period of practising Quigong while watching Chunyi Lin on KZfaq. Came here to confirm it was not wrapped up in this confusing organisation. Quigong is a lovely exercise.

Great video! Very informative, thank you

Incredibly well made and informational video!

I'm supposed to go to this but I have no idea what I'm supposed to wear? Am I supposed to wear something super formal or casual

I saw the Shen YUN play LIVE. IT was sad by the performance of the Baritone and Pianist that was performed twice. Once before the intermission and once again after intermission. I didn't like the fact the the english translation of the mandarin song stated I was a heathen because i didn't follow your church teachings. It was not needed in the performance.

Is it worth the money? Thanks

I have one question. Are the dancers paid commencerate with their skill and training? There was good reason that the Chinese overthrew the old system. I won't be buying tickets any time soon.

The way he says words with the letter s is triggering me sm

as a person who has seen this yes this says everything

They actually did perform in Brazil and Argentina.

I absolutely love Shen Yun !!! I have seen it a few times n can't wait to see it again bc they have a new production every year.. Also, I have a question for the person who made this video: If ur government was persecuting a faith u were following, if your friends n family were thrown in jail, simply for believing in God n for trying to b better ppl, if they were murdered in concentration camps (all without any due-process) n their organs were harvested for profit, n they would just b called "prisoners of conscience", while the entire world had no idea.. no news stations reporting on it.. no newspapers writing about it, bc u live in a country controlled by a Communist Regime n nothing goes in or out from behind the "Iron Curtain".. so basically, a holocaust-like situation is taking place for many years n no one knows about it n no one is talking about it, how would u make the situation known ? Or perhaps u would choose to stay silent, just allow this to continue, just let them die ? May b u would just renounce ur faith.. wouldn't that b easier ? I'm immensely thankful to this show for bringing to light the RELENTLESS SPIRITUAL PERSECUTION that HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE IN CHINA for so many years !!! THESE R CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY N MUST B STOPPED ! Personally, it has opened my eyes n made me want to speak out on behalf of those, who r unable to speak for themselves, as they r being illegally detained n tortured. For those who felt "uncomfortable" during the persecution pieces.. I'm sorry for ur "inconvenience".

watch to the last second, it cracked me up!

Thank you! 💙

This was a very interesting video. I know have a different view of Shen Yun, but will probably go see it every year if I can. My family absolutely loved the performance this year. It was stunning and extremely enjoyable. I would still recommend seeing this performance. Texan here that absolutely loved the show.

I just want to say, please check out Chinese new year gala 2024, the show is more beautiful and diverse than shenyun.

Can anyone know how they fund the building of the huge campus in upper New York, and the operations over so many countries?

familiar image

Very educational more viewers should watch it and get to understand the issues cult vs. Shun Yun issues.

Shen Yun is still the BEST show I've ever seen. They're the only art perfoming program that blends the eastern and western instruments seamlessly together and the dancers' dance skills is supreme. I don't indorse propaganda, and I'm not interested in any political stuff either. But I feel deeply moved by the show, and it brought me to tears when I saw the persecution happened on stage. It was heart breaking... yet I felt hopeful after watching the whole show because of the positive and uplifting music and the spiritual message. Long story short, after hearing your point of view, referring it as a "cult", I just can't agree on that. I love the show and I appreciate them doing it and tells the truth through such a delicate and artistic way. I happen to agree with some of the reviewers' words, "The world needs it."

How I wish I could go and see this. Something to put on your bucket list.

Not much difference than the religious spectacles I saw as a christian. Absolutely propaganda, just like the hit play Heaven's Gates, Hell's Flames. That is a classic 10/10 would recommend.

I saw the show in January. Honestly, it touched my heart. what a beautiful show! The more I watched it, the more I loved it. No matter what you said in the video, I have my own comment after watching the show. I never regret to watch it. They said that every year they have a new program, I will go back again.

I hope this message finds you well. I recently came across your video, and I must express my sincere appreciation for the way you articulate thoughts, answer questions, and share your profound knowledge. It feels like you were speaking directly to my mind, addressing my thoughts and queries with remarkable precision. I'm unsure whether to credit AI for guiding me to your content or attribute it to some divine energy that led me to your video. Regardless, I am deeply grateful for the insights you provide and the way you open the minds of your viewers. Your research, understanding, knowledge, wisdom, and the openness you display are truly mind-blowing. I find myself eager to connect with you, to further explore the ideas and concepts you discuss. Could you please share the best way to get in touch with you? I have some questions and thoughts I'd love to discuss, and I believe your perspective would be invaluable. Thank you once again for your impactful content, and I look forward to the possibility of engaging in a meaningful conversation with you. Best regards,

I don’t agree with your assessment that Falun Gong is dangerous……..people are entitled to their beliefs and opinions and many things that they allege about China are true. There are also legitimate reasons to be concerned over immigration and the way the government poorly handled the COVID-19 pandemic. However, I am glad that you made this video enabling people to make informed decisions regarding the media they consume.

Yeah,once you she a Shen Yun advertisement, you SEE THEM EVERYWHERE. LoL So where in the U.S. can I see some kind of traditional Chinese, Korean, or Japanese dance? I love the short versions in martial art movies, but I want to see a long version live.

C'est insupportable de devoir supporter ce matraquage publicitaire permanent après avoir connu une telle déception! C'est clair, le prix que j'ai payé pour ce spectacle sans intérêt est principalement justifié par la campagne publicitaire qu'il nécessite pour continuer à se produire !!!

This is the real chinese culture, so beautifil

Heyyyyy….pretty much You nailed it mate= 10/10.!!!! 🎯 I agree with 99% of your summary Man. I don’t mind a slightly veiled message BUT at least don’t hide from the fact that it is a Religious Movement at large…looking for “sympathy”. Whether it is for Good Or Bad….that’s a Personal decision ( assessment ) anyway. 🌏🇦🇺🤷🏻‍♂️

“Clarify the truth”???

Shen Yun Falun Gong Yun The Epoch Times all Cults

Seriously who cares? They are promoting their show and people can CHOOSE to buy a ticket.

Watched Shen Yun 5 times already. Will go next year again! Can highly recommend it!

12:54 氣（qì）

I felt robbed! I went to see a dance show, not a cult propaganda!

Best show ever. Nothing compares to Shen Yun professionalism . Do not miss it!

I can't wait to watch Shen Yun 🤩

I just finished watching the shen yun performance and people are yapping about it already?! BRUHHH

Thank you for breaking that down for me. As a 47 year old American guy I think it makes sense to show with dance what their message is about themselves and their home country.

Just to point out, Shen Yun actually came to Brazil this year in march. The most bizarre to me though is that there were ads on youtube about it, but they were in... Japanese? Like, wtf!?

Having seen the CCP opera in Beijing and seeing the political advertising of their point of view, I look forward to seeing Shen Yun. Maybe you're not familiar with opera as a mode of communication. You might approach with wonder rather than overthinking these things and missing the subtle messages. Question: Do want the CCP to succeed further? Just checking.

I love pure shows like this. I will buy tickets to see the show. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

if you really want to know is Falun Gong good or not, just spend a week to practice it, rather than spend 2 months trying to make this video.

34:40 Did you imply that Brazil is in the East?

I saw the show once (having heard some of the stories of what to expect). I was pretty impressed with the artistry, and while there was some of scenes as described in this video, it felt like the propaganda was quite subtle and not too 'in your face' with it. I'd probably go see it again some time just to see any differences. And I couldn't care less about the whole falun gong thing

"The digitized saturated world of propaganda, rumour and conflicting truths." Isn't that where we are now, watching this, on KZfaq

I saw it Last night in Miami my tickets was $120.00 it was very insightful and in lighting to hear this very informative young man's sharing he's deep conflict from a historical and present state of affairs with in the CCP and its repressive Government which never entered my mind when buying my tickets. It's true the advertisement has been every where T.V, RADIO, INTERNET etc. I just wanted to see it. And finally I get go back to Asia in February. I love the dancing and beautiful colors and music but did feel so of dancing theme's where a little political. with that aside the whole evening was wonderful and that means the show within the show. The audience were amazing high in sprite and the most happy the ladies were beautiful in their gown and outfits their fancy hair style and pretty make up for both young and mature women wearing their evening jewelry, the men dressed nicely proudly showing off their love one and families with all the different faces and cultures of this greatest in all nations celebrating together. For two hours everyone there was happy so for me the arts and Sehe Yun was worth it. Happy new everyone.