Dance drama 'Wing Chun' to make debut in South Korea

Shenzhen's original dance drama "Wing Chun" is set to make its debut in South Korea this week. Running alongside the performances will be a special event, inviting the local community to join Shenzhen for the APEC "China Year" promotion.

A poster for the "Wing Chun" performances to be staged in South Korea this week. Courtesy of Shenzhen Municipal Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports Bureau

Produced by the Publicity Department of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the CPC and the Shenzhen Municipal Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports Bureau, the dance drama is created and performed by the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater. 

Directed by Han Zhen and Zhou Liya, a renowned duo in China's dance community, the production centers on two national intangible cultural heritages — Wing Chun kung fu and Xiangyunsha (Gambiered Canton gauze) silk. Through a dual-narrative structure, it intertwines the legendary story of kung fu master Yip Man passing down his martial arts legacy with a contemporary tale of young filmmakers chasing their dreams.

The award-winning production has achieved remarkable domestic and international success. Prior to its upcoming South Korea tour, the drama had completed 336 performances across 75 theaters in 58 cities worldwide, attracting more than 460,000 spectators. It made history as the first original Chinese dance drama to perform at Russia's top art venues and conduct a large-scale commercial tour in Canada. Its global footprint includes world-class cultural hubs such as Singapore, London, Paris, Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Toronto.

Andong, the hometown of South Korean political figure Lee Jae-myung, shares a deep connection with Shenzhen. The two cities will use the stage as a medium to engage in a cross-border cultural dialogue.

A poster for "Wing Chun."

During the performance run, the organizers will host diverse supporting cultural activities to build immersive scenes, allowing South Korean audience to experience the creative vitality of traditional Chinese culture up close. The lead actors of "Wing Chun" and the dancers will interact with the audience, teaching basic "Wing Chun" moves and showcasing the intricate craftsmanship of Xiangyunsha silk. Members of the South Korean audience will have the opportunity to step onto the stage and learn the moves firsthand.

In the interactive zone, a Xiangyunsha fitting area will offer an immersive clothing experience. At the calligraphy desk, volunteers will write the Chinese transliterated names of South Korean spectators using traditional ink and brushes. A Chinese printmaking experience area will feature custom blocks engraved with "Wing Chun" moves and the Chinese character for "friendship," allowing visitors to create and take home their own prints in traditional Chinese envelopes.

In addition, post-show cultural salons and talk sessions will be held after each performance. South Korean sinologists from local universities and representatives from the Taekwondo associations will engage in discussions with the creators of "Wing Chun," while the lead cast will share their creative journey with the audience.

Expectations are running high among South Korean audiences. Many cultural figures in South Korea expressed their excitement about the upcoming shows and interactive activities, noting that the event offers a unique chance to appreciate the balance of strength and gentleness in Chinese martial arts, as well as the modern expression of intangible cultural heritage. They also hoped to witness further cultural exchange between the two nations.