Shen Yun: The Dark Side of a Dance Troupe

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

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.