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

Bibliographic Details
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
Authors: Jijiao Zhang, Zixiang Zhou
Source: International Journal of Anthropology and Ethnology, Vol 9, Iss 1, Pp 1-31 (2025)
Publisher Information: SpringerOpen, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Anthropology
LCC:Ethnology. Social and cultural anthropology
Subject Terms: Journey to the West, Black Myth: Wukong, Cultural Empowerment Theory, Adaptation, Reception Aesthetics, Chinese Younger Generation, Anthropology, GN1-890, Ethnology. Social and cultural anthropology, GN301-674
More Details: Abstract This paper focuses on adapting the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West and the interaction between the game Black Myth: Wukong and the younger generation in China. Based on reception aesthetics, adaptation theory, and Cultural Empowerment Theory, the article analyzes Journey to the West’s adaptations and cultural empowerment across different periods and media from both ontological and essential research perspectives, combining diachronic and synchronic analysis. The study systematically examines Journey to the West’s adaptation process and cultural empowerment through literature research and online ethnographic methods. The research indicates that the game Black Myth: Wukong is a well-crafted adaptation of Journey to the West and has received the “Thick Empowerment” from the “Thick Power” of Journey to the West. Furthermore, Chinese youth of the new era have exerted their cultural subjectivity by actively participating in interpreting and re-creating Chinese culture in adapted works through new media platforms, demonstrating their profound identification with and cultural confidence in Chinese culture.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2366-1003
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/2366-1003
DOI: 10.1186/s41257-025-00129-7
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/385f3cd1bc1944178c143ed6dd9238d1
Accession Number: edsdoj.385f3cd1bc1944178c143ed6dd9238d1
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:23661003
DOI:10.1186/s41257-025-00129-7
Published in:International Journal of Anthropology and Ethnology
Language:English