Chen Siqi

vankochensq@163.com

HAVING watched the dance drama “Wing Chun” three times, Ding Yeming, a Chinese doctoral student studying in Germany, is set to attend the show for a fourth time when the acclaimed Shenzhen-produced performance takes the stage at the Palais des Congrès de Paris in France from Oct. 4 to 6.

“Since I came to study in Germany, I haven’t seen ‘Wing Chun’ for almost a year. I’m eagerly looking forward to catching the details I missed before,” Ding told Shenzhen Daily. She has organized a two-day trip to Paris to watch the show on the afternoon of Oct. 5.

Ding’s passion for dance drama began in 2018. Over the years, she has attended nearly every production directed by duo Han Zhen and Zhou Liya. Ding is also familiar with the show’s lead actors, Chang Hongji and Zhang Yashu, who have previously captivated her in other performances.

When “Wing Chun” arrived in Shanghai in April 2023, Ding bought a ticket to see the production for the first time. Enchanted by the performance, she watched it again in Wuxi and Nanjing within just a few months.

Unlike many audience members who are drawn to the show’s traditional elements, Ding appreciates its dual narrative storytelling technique. What resonates most with her are the subtle details in the dance that evoke deep emotions. According to Ding, even the ordinary characters and their personalities are vividly portrayed.

When Ding learned that “Wing Chun” would be staged in Paris, which is a two- to three-hour flight from where she studies in Germany, she sought permission from her tutor to make the trip and rearranged her schedule.

Ding said she is really proud to see a Chinese dance drama tour internationally. “People in other countries are very curious about Chinese culture. Now, we have our own artistic performance showcased on the world stage,” she said. “I truly hope that ‘Wing Chun’ will be performed in other countries within the Schengen Area and even in the rest of the world.”