A scene from the music video Disco Dancing Version of Your Shining Knight, featuring young Chinese musicians playing traditional Chinese musical instruments. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Cultural DNA
Zhou, who studied at the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, describes his work as a blend of pop and Peking Opera. His first release, Kuang Lang Sheng, explored themes of loneliness and dreams through the lens of traditional Chinese opera and delighted listeners across China.
"Chinese music and operas have a unique charm," said Zhou. "It's like cultural DNA in our blood. The moment we hear traditional music, we understand it on a deep, emotional level. It connects us to something ancient yet profoundly present."
Zhou pointed out that guofeng's influence is not just confined to music. The style is increasingly appearing in video games, notably Black Myth: Wukong, a hit action game based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West.
The game's soundtrack blends traditional Chinese instruments with modern orchestral music, creating a cinematic experience that resonates with fans of both ancient culture and modern gaming.
The ability to blend old and new is what makes guofeng music so relevant today, Zhou said. In a world where cultural pride is rising alongside technological advances, traditional Chinese music has found its place once again. This renaissance is not about nostalgia, but about evolution — taking the best of the past and fusing it with the possibilities of the future, he added.
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