Old Chinese Novel Making Waves Globally

Introduction

"Wukong! My bro!" exclaimed Kalex Willzy when he saw Sun Wukong hiding his golden staff in his ear in an electronic game, which instantly reminded him of the famous scene from the 16th century Chinese novel Journey to the West.

Once, Sun Wukong's fame in the West could be attributed to the Japanese anime Dragon Ball, in which he goes by the name Son Goku. Now the name Wukong is attracting a huge number of eyeballs on You-Tube, and online communities dedicated to Journey to the West have appeared on social media platforms.

The viewpoint toward black wukong

Cas, 35, a YouTuber in the United States, said: "I wanted to know more about Journey to the West once I began researching Black Myth: Wukong." Cas, who runs Fextralife, a games review channel with more than a million followers, said he delved into Journey to the West by drawing on a variety of sources, including forums, TV shows, anime, manga and online encyclopedias.

Wukong's story is "a gateway to Chinese culture", Cas said, adding that Wukong is the "Frodo (of Lord of the Rings) of Asia". He became acquainted with Sun Wukong many years ago from the game League of Legends and Dragon Ball.

"There is an under-representation of Chinese myths, literary works and fables in gaming," Cas said. "I'm glad I managed to create a relatable overview for one of China's biggest classic novels and received so much support for it."

The trend of Black Wukong

Black Myth: Wukong has become a top seller on Steam, a global digital distribution platform for games, and peak concurrent game players on Steam surpassed two million, reflecting China's expanding cultural presence beyond traditional boundaries, with video games the new ambassadors of its heritage.

"Chinese cultural elements are merging with cutting-edge technologies to form a digital flow, creating a new image of China that is cute and cool as well as dynamic," Xinhua quoted Shi Anbin, professor for global media and communication at Tsinghua University as saying.

Li Tianfei, a writer and popularizer of the epic, said the tale of Sun Wukong and his companions is not just a cultural treasure but a story with global and universal relevance.

The popularity impact of Black Wukong

"At its core, Journey to the West is about growth and freedom. This mirrors the journey of Marvel's superheroes and is a key reason why the story is continuously reimagined abroad."

What sets Sun Wukong apart from other heroes is the rich tapestry of nearly 1,000 years of Chinese culture that has shaped him. Journey to the West offers a sprawling narrative that covers a perilous journey, numerous encounters and exploration of various cultures. The versatility of its narrative makes it a rich source for diverse storytelling genres and cultural backgrounds.

The tale has been translated into more than a dozen languages, with more than 60 versions available worldwide. Digital media has further propelled international adaptations of the story.

"We need to move beyond the confines of the 400-year-old original to offer something new. The story's core lies in its universal human themes," Li said, adding, "Journey to the West is like a river, continuously taking in tributaries and creating ripples. The ripples are the essence of the tale."

Post time: Aug-26-2024