Historic Circus

[Anchor Lead]

It is not easy to catch a circus performance these days, with so many other more modern entertainment options available. Next, we bring you along on our visit to a 90-year-old Korean circus troupe. Here is the story.

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Two young men present an acrobatic performance on an enormous rotary machine. Eyes are glued to the fantastic and perfectly synchronized movements of the dancers.

[Soundbite] Shin Cheol-hue(Viewer) : "It makes me feel as if I returned to my childhood. I came here to show my baby the performance."

Since staging its premiere show in 1925, Dongchun Circus boasts a history of more than 90 years. The circus troupe enjoyed huge popularity before the omnipresence of TV. Top stars of the time once worked as performers at Dongchun. But with a plunge in audiences, the troupe once stood on the verge of closure. After managing to stay in business through nationwide touring, Dongchun Circus settled in Daebudo Island seven years ago. It now operates only with roughly 30 members, most of whom are Chinese.

[Soundbite] Ryu Hyo-seul(Chinese Member of Dongchun Circus) : "I came to South Korea from China eight years ago. I like Korean circus and Dongchun!"

However, it stages shows with all its heart and pride, despite a declining number of viewers.

[Soundbite] Park Se-hwan(73 Years Old/9Dongchun Circus President) : "We can benchmark or even outdo the world's best circus, Cirque du Soleil, if assistance is given."

Having devoted his life to the circus, President Park Se-hwan is still dreaming of making Dongchun a top global circus troupe.