The Daily

Shen Yun: The Dark Side of a Dance Troupe


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A few days ago, one of the most ubiquitous live shows in the country, Shen Yun, began its latest run at Lincoln Center, drawing thousands of people to a performance that is colorful, acrobatic and — according to many of its performers — shockingly abusive.

Nicole Hong, one of the reporters behind a New York Times investigation of Shen Yun, discusses what that reporting has revealed about the secretive enterprise.

Guest: Nicole Hong, an investigative reporter for The New York Times focusing on New York and its surrounding regions.

Background reading: 

  • An ex-dancer accused Shen Yun of forced labor and trafficking in a lawsuit.
  • Here are five takeaways from The Times’s coverage of Shen Yun.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. 

Photo: The New York Times

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The DailyBy The New York Times