In recent years, the legendary Chinese narrative Journey to the West has transcended its traditional literary confines to become a vibrant cultural phenomenon among younger generations, especially through digital and interactive media adaptations. A groundbreaking study by Zhang and Zhou, published in the International Journal of Anthropology and Ethnology, delves into this transformation through the lens of Cultural Empowerment Theory, revealing how these adaptations—particularly the video game Black Myth: Wukong—reshape the relationship between Chinese youth and their cultural heritage. This research offers a fresh perspective on how ancient stories do not merely survive in the digital age but undergo reinterpretation and empowerment among emerging demographics.
Journey to the West, originally a 16th-century classical Chinese novel, chronicles the mythical pilgrimage of the monk Xuanzang and his supernatural companions, including the iconic Monkey King, Sun Wukong. Historically, this narrative has been a cornerstone of Chinese culture, imbued with layers of philosophical, religious, and social meaning. However, Zhang and Zhou’s work illustrates how contemporary media adaptations serve not just as modern storytelling vehicles but also as dynamic tools of cultural negotiation and identity formation among Chinese youth.
Central to their argument is the concept of “Thick Power,” a term coined by the authors to encapsulate the profound and multifaceted influence that culturally resonant narratives exert when revitalized in new media formats. Unlike the traditional “soft power” theory characterized by passive cultural diffusion, Thick Power underscores an active, engaged form of cultural empowerment where youth assert agency in interpreting and reinscribing their heritage. The study’s technical exploration of this phenomenon unveils a complex interplay between media technologies, cultural memory, and youth identity construction.
The team’s analytical framework is deeply grounded in Cultural Empowerment Theory, a sociological construct emphasizing how marginalized or evolving groups harness cultural resources to negotiate social and political power. In the context of Black Myth: Wukong, the game becomes more than entertainment; it functions as a cultural interface allowing players to experience heritage in tactile, immersive ways. The striking realism and meticulous detail in the game’s design not only revive traditional iconography but situate it within contemporary narratives of struggle, resilience, and transformation resonant with China’s rapid modernization and globalization.
Zhang and Zhou provide a sophisticated technical dissection of how the game’s mechanics incorporate elements of traditional mythos—such as magical abilities, moral dilemmas, and epic quests—while integrating modern gameplay techniques that appeal to the sensibilities of digital native audiences. This blend, the researchers argue, fosters a sense of embodied cultural connection, in which players are no longer passive recipients but active participants reshaping the myth’s meanings.
Beyond narrative and gameplay, the study foregrounds the social dynamics of youth engagement with these adaptations. Leveraging mixed-method ethnographic approaches, including online forum analysis and player interviews, Zhang and Zhou map the complex ways in which Chinese youth negotiate identity, nationalism, and cultural pride through shared gaming experiences. These virtual interactions serve as contemporary forms of community-building, cultural discourse, and collective memory, revitalizing Journey to the West as a living, breathing story with real-world social impact.
A particularly striking finding presented by the authors concerns the global reach of Black Myth: Wukong. While rooted in Chinese mythology, the game has attracted an international audience, illustrating the transcultural appeal of myth-based interactive media. This global diffusion raises compelling questions about cultural hybridity, appropriation, and the reconfiguration of heritage in an interconnected world—topics that Zhang and Zhou tackle with nuanced theoretical rigor.
Technological innovation plays a critical role in this cultural renaissance. The authors detail how advanced game engines, photorealistic rendering, and artificial intelligence-driven narrative branching contribute to a deeply immersive experience that amplifies player engagement and emotional resonance. From a technical standpoint, the study positions Black Myth: Wukong as a vanguard synthesis of cultural storytelling and cutting-edge digital design, heralding a new era for heritage media.
Moreover, Zhang and Zhou explore the implications of this Thick Power framework for broader sociopolitical movements among Chinese youth. Amid rapid urbanization and shifting cultural values, these interactive adaptations provide a medium through which young people articulate both continuity with tradition and aspirations for the future. The resulting cultural empowerment is not monolithic but marked by contestation, reinterpretation, and creative renewal.
The researchers also emphasize the importance of interactivity as a key factor distinguishing video game adaptations from other media forms such as film or literature. Through player agency and choice, the myth is dynamic rather than static—a fluid narrative open to reexamination. This interactivity fosters a participatory culture in which players reimagine ancient stories in ways that resonate personally and collectively, reinforcing cultural identity while promoting innovation.
From an anthropological perspective, this study enriches our understanding of how digital media transform folk narratives into platforms for dialogue between past and present. Zhang and Zhou’s interdisciplinary methodology synthesizes ethnology, media studies, and cultural theory, offering a replicable model for analyzing digital adaptations of heritage worldwide. Their work highlights that cultural artifacts are not relics but evolving entities continuously recontextualized through human creativity and technology.
In conclusion, the research presented by Zhang and Zhou illuminates a compelling cultural phenomenon: the resurgence and redefinition of Journey to the West through the medium of interactive video gaming. Black Myth: Wukong exemplifies how digital adaptation can serve as a cultural catalyst, empowering young Chinese generations to reclaim, reinterpret, and reimagine their mythic past in ways that speak to their contemporary realities. This Thick Power approach, blending tradition with innovation, suggests exciting prospects for the future of cultural heritage in the digital age.
As interactive media continue to proliferate globally, the insights from this study underscore the transformative potential of technology-infused cultural narratives. By fostering deep cultural engagement and empowerment, such adaptations can bridge generational divides, enhance global cultural exchange, and inspire new forms of storytelling grounded in respect for tradition paired with openness to change.
Zhang and Zhou’s contribution is thus both timely and influential, situating Journey to the West and its modern avatars at the forefront of contemporary cultural discourse. Their rigorous application of Cultural Empowerment Theory to a high-profile digital adaptation invites further research into the discursive power of myth and the evolving role of youth as agents in cultural production and preservation. This study marks a significant advance in our understanding of how heritage and technology intersect to shape identity in the 21st century and beyond.
Subject of Research: Adaptations of Journey to the West and their influence on Chinese youth through the video game Black Myth: Wukong analyzed by Cultural Empowerment Theory.
Article Title: Thick Power: the adaptations of Journey to the West and the interaction between the Chinese youth and Black Myth: Wukong from the perspective of Cultural Empowerment Theory.
Article References:
Zhang, J., Zhou, Z. Thick Power: the adaptations of Journey to the West and the interaction between the Chinese youth and Black Myth: Wukong from the perspective of Cultural Empowerment Theory. Int. j. anthropol. ethnol. 9, 6 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41257-025-00129-7
Image Credits: AI Generated
