Latest news with #NeZha2
Economist
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Economist
The enduring appeal of a 400-year-old Chinese story
Published in 1592, 'Journey to the West' is the most famous novel in Chinese literature. Better known as 'The Monkey King' outside of China, it is also one of the country's most successful cultural exports. It tells the story of a pilgrimage undertaken by a monk and his three disciples—a monkey, a pig and a bearded muscly man. The tale has inspired countless adaptations across film, TV and video games. Most recently, Ne Zha 2 broke box-office records in China. For the return of Drum Tower's film club, Jiehao Chen, The Economist 's China researcher, and Rosie Blau, host of 'The Intelligence' and former China correspondent, analyse their pick of the adaptations. More than 400 years after 'Journey to the West' was written, why is the story still so popular? And what does it reveal about China today?
The Star
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Labubu and beyond - Decoding the rise of China's 'IP economy'
BEIJING: Until this year, few could have anticipated that a quirky, toothy plush doll would capture the hearts of social media users worldwide and ignite a global shopping frenzy. Labubu, created by Chinese toymaker Pop Mart, is becoming a new icon in the "intellectual property (IP) economy," a thriving sector within China's dynamic economic landscape. As a buzzword in China, the IP economy refers to the process of converting intangible cultural assets -- such as stories, characters and brands -- into a variety of products and services. The sector spans film and television, gaming, animation, cultural creations, consumer goods, and many other fields. As a latest example of the IP economy, Labubu is rapidly evolving from a pop culture phenomenon to a highly lucrative collectible that is taking the global market by storm. What stunned the world recently was a mint-green Labubu doll, which sold for over 1 million yuan ($139,794) at an auction in Beijing. Fueled by robust demand for the doll, Pop Mart's revenue soared by 165 to 170 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025. Together with various successful Chinese IPs such as the movie "Ne Zha 2" and the video game "Black Myth: Wukong," Labubu has exemplified a burgeoning trend in China: the transformation of culture and creativity, bolstered by cutting-edge technology, into business opportunities across a diverse range of sectors. TECH-DRIVEN CULTURAL RENAISSANCE With a history spanning over 5,000 years, China boasts a wealth of cultural treasures. However, revitalising traditional culture in a modern way that appeals to younger generations, who are becoming a major consumer group, remains a challenging task. Thanks to its innovation-driven development strategy and impressive technological advancements, China has blazed a new trail for cultural revival: transforming cultural classics into IPs with the help of advanced technologies. The transformation, according to Wang Linsheng, a researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, cannot be completed by merely copying ideas and concepts or presenting classics in a digital way. Rather, it is a process of reimagining cultural classics to breathe new life into these timeless treasures. "Supported by digital technology, China is combining cultural classics with modern ways of IP management, in a bid to transform traditional elements into products in line with the latest aesthetic trends and consumer demands," Wang said. A case resonating with Wang's remarks is "Black Myth: Wukong," a game inspired by the classic Chinese literary masterpiece "Journey to the West." While unfolding the legendary adventures of Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, the game utilises a range of advanced visual technologies to provide lifelike scenes and immersive experiences for players of all cultural backgrounds. Through its technological reimagining of a classic Chinese story, the game has transcended cultural boundaries and become a global hit. On its official release day, "Black Myth: Wukong" climbed to the top of the charts on Steam, the world's largest gaming platform, and has dominated many other gaming markets worldwide ever since. Commenting on how technologies are fueling China's ongoing IP boom, Chen Gang, an analyst with Soochow Securities, noted that cutting-edge technologies such as 5G and cloud rendering are helping the country overcome the temporal and spatial limitations of traditional communication methods, thereby enabling Chinese cultural and entertainment products to reach a wider audience. In recent years, culture-related sectors have emerged as a robust catalyst for China's economic growth. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the country's per capita expenditure on education, culture, and entertainment reached 3,189 yuan in 2024, marking a 9.8 percent year-on-year increase and accounting for 11.3 percent of total per capita consumption spending. While highlighting the role of the IP economy in driving broader economic growth, Wang said that IPs extend beyond the scope of just culture or entertainment. Transforming cultural classics into IPs should be based on contemporary industrial development models, he said, adding that the process also involves various upstream and downstream sectors related to digital media. INDUSTRIAL CHAIN IN THE MAKING Continuing to unleash its vast growth potential, China's IP economy is fostering an industrial chain that involves an increasing number of upstream and downstream companies working together to create high-quality products. Already the highest-grossing film in Chinese history, "Ne Zha 2" is creating a ripple effect across a wide range of sectors. To date, more than 10 types of derivative products related to the movie have been planned and launched. Earlier this year, Pop Mart launched a series of Ne Zha-themed blind box toys in its Tmall store, a major Chinese online shopping platform. Just eight days after its release, the series had generated over 10 million yuan in sales, becoming one of the most sought-after toy collections at the time. Additionally, other related merchandise, such as collectible cards and plush toys, has also gained significant popularity. By promoting industry integration centred on original IPs, China is well-positioned to establish a complete industrial chain that spans online literature, film and television, gaming, and derivative products, said Hong Tao, vice chairman of the China Consumer Economics Society. "This full industrial chain development model can expand the application scenarios of intellectual properties and help bridge the virtual world and reality, thereby generating more business value and economic benefits," Hong said. To this end, analysts have suggested that the country should facilitate the alignment of all segments of the industrial chain. This can be achieved by integrating independent IPs and developing them in a systematic and coordinated manner. "Chinese IPs can draw experience from the Marvel universe, which brings together various superheroes in one unified narrative framework," said Chen, adding that the growth model of the American pop culture icon has shown a way to enhance the linkage and coordination among different IPs. Looking ahead, Wei Pengju, a scholar at the Central University of Finance and Economics, said that China should embrace global cooperation in the development of its original IPs. "By doing so, the country can fully leverage its IP resources and establish an international IP framework that integrates both cultural and economic values," Wei added. - China Daily/ANN
BusinessToday
2 days ago
- Business
- BusinessToday
Local Blockbusters Push China's Box Office To Record US$4 Billion In First Half
China's film market maintained strong growth in the first half of 2025, with total box office revenue exceeding 29.23 billion yuan (about 4.09 billion U.S. dollars), a 22.91 percent year-on-year increase, official data shows. During the same period, the number of moviegoers increased to 641 million, a 16.89 percent rise from the previous year, according to the data released by the National Film Administration on Tuesday. Domestic films accounted for 91.2 percent of the total earnings, playing an increasingly important role in the world's largest film market, data shows. 'Ne Zha 2,' a domestic blockbuster that has amassed 15.45 billion yuan on the Chinese mainland in 2025, tops the Chinese box office chart as the most-watched and highest-grossing film ever in China. Related
Arab Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
Arabic-dubbed ‘Ne Zha 2' premieres in Riyadh
RIYADH, June 28, (Xinhua): A soft ripple of guzheng music floated through the foyer of Reel Cinema in northern Riyadh on Wednesday night as dozens of movie-goers posed beneath a towering poster of Ne Zha 2, the first time the Chinese animation blockbuster has reached Saudi screens in Arabic. Among the early arrivals was Bushra al-Dawood, a journalist for the Saudi outlet Gorgeous. To celebrate the premiere, she paired a black abaya embroidered with red crimson blossoms and matching red shoes. 'A nod to the fiery spirit of Chinese culture and Ne Zha,' she smiled. 'The film's landscapes are so vivid that I can't wait to travel there and see those mountains and rivers for myself.' Inside the 200-seat auditorium, laughter, gasps and spontaneous applause punctuated the two-hour screening of the Arabic-dubbed edition, which blends standard Arabic with Saudi, Egyptian and other dialects. When the lights came up, clusters of children rushed back to the poster for selfies, while adults lingered in animated debate about the plot's twists and mythical creatures. 'The movie is visually stunning, the story is beautiful, and I had no trouble following it thanks to the Arabic dub,' said Shahad, a fourth-year Chinese-language major at King Saud University. 'I saw posters of Ne Zha 2 all over China during a summer camp but never caught a screening there. The moment I heard it would open in Riyadh, I signed up right away. I'll be back with my family.' Combination The film's Saudi distributor, CineWaves Films, believes the combination of state-of-the-art animation and localised dialogue will broaden its appeal. ''Ne Zha 2' is a high-quality, truly original work that speaks to audiences everywhere,' said Faisal Baltyuor, CineWaves chairman. 'By dubbing it into Saudi dialect, we remove the language barrier and make the story even more inviting for local viewers.' Directed by Chinese filmmaker Jiaozi, Ne Zha 2 continues the coming-of-age saga of the rebellious boy-god first introduced in 2019's record-breaking Ne Zha. This time the stakes are higher, the universe larger and the visuals more ambitious, with richly textured dragons, fiery battles and sweeping panoramas rendered in full 3-D. Saudi animation veteran Malik Nejer, who supervised the Arabic version, said selecting different dialects for rival clans helped newcomers navigate a world rooted in Chinese folklore. 'Many Arab viewers don't know Chinese mythology,' Nejer explained. 'So we matched each on-screen tribe with a distinct Arabic dialect. It guides the audience through the plot and mirrors the linguistic diversity of our own region.' He also mentioned when concepts had no exact equivalent, the team searched for cultural parallels, 'letting viewers feel an instant connection.' Backed by CineWaves and Dubai-based PBA Entertainment, Ne Zha 2 opens nationwide in Saudi Arabia on Thursday and will roll out to the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar in early July.
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Ne Zha, DeepSeek, Labubu, Su Super League: Icons of 2025 reveal China's cultural, creative pulse
A resident takes photos of a Labubu toy at the Taipa exhibition area of 'POP MART MACAO CITYWALK' in Macao on June 6, 2025. – Xinhua photo BEIJING (June 27): In the first half of 2025, China's cultural landscape has been energised by a striking confluence of creativity, confidence and a renewed sense of identity. From box office records and AI innovation to collectible toys and grassroots football tournaments, a diverse set of new icons is speaking volumes about how cultural relevance is being redefined in the China of today, according to observers. The runaway success of animated fantasy epic 'Ne Zha 2' has perhaps grabbed the most headlines. Released during the Chinese New Year, it quickly broke multiple records, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time in China in just eight days, then the top-grossing film in any single market, and eventually the world's highest-grossing animated movie. It went on to surpass US$2 billion in earnings, entering the ranks of the five highest-grossing films in global box office history. 'Ne Zha 2' retells the myth of the rebellious boy-god Nezha, a tale deeply rooted in Chinese folklore. Yet its appeal transcends cultural boundaries, thanks to a modern narrative that explores fate, prejudice and personal transformation. The film resonates with younger audiences grappling with pressure and identity, as well as older viewers seeking emotional catharsis. 'It reminded me that my potential is limitless,' one teenage fan said. The film is also a technical marvel, boasting nearly 2,000 special effects shots and input from more than 130 animation studios. The production highlights the growing scale and sophistication of China's animation industry. Its global release – across North America, Europe and Southeast Asia – underscores its appeal as a culturally distinctive, non-Hollywood story. While 'Ne Zha 2' pays tribute to the past, DeepSeek looks to the future. Developed by a Hangzhou-based startup, this open-source large language model has made waves in the global AI community by rivaling its top Western counterparts, despite being trained on fewer computing resources. Unveiled at this year's World Economic Forum, DeepSeek-R1, the company's then latest model, quickly topped Apple's free app charts, even surpassing OpenAI's ChatGPT in popularity. 'DeepSeek's rise underscores China's resolve to forge its own path in the field of tech, particularly amid US restrictions on chip exports,' said Ming Jinwei, a Beijing-based commentator and widely followed blogger. More than just a technological feat, DeepSeek signals a cultural shift in how AI is developed and shared. While OpenAI began as an open-source initiative before shifting to a closed model, DeepSeek has deliberately chosen another route. 'We won't choose closed-source,' founder Liang Wenfeng said, stressing that building a robust technological ecosystem – one that invites collaboration and innovation – is the priority. A man walks past a screen showing a poster of the Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 before a preview screening at the BFI IMAX theater in London on March 14, 2025. – Xinhua photo Meanwhile, in a very different realm of culture, Labubu – the snaggle-toothed, wide-eyed toy figure created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung – has become an unlikely global ambassador for China's creative industries. Marketed by Chinese collectibles giant Pop Mart, the gothic-cute character blends Nordic folklore with East Asian aesthetics and has captivated Gen-Z collectors from Paris to Bangkok. A mint-green Labubu figurine recently sold for over 1 million yuan (about US$139,000) at a Beijing auction, underlining the toy's cult status. More importantly, Labubu is part of a broader story: rebranding the 'Made in China' label from manufacturing to imagination. Pop Mart's global footprint illustrates the country's growing ability to export cultural intellectual property, not just consumer goods. In a time of rising geopolitical tensions, the charm of Labubu reminds the world that Chinese creativity, too, can be intimate, idiosyncratic, and incontrovertibly cool. Completing this quartet of cultural landmarks is a surprising phenomenon: the Su Super League, a provincial amateur football tournament in east China's Jiangsu Province. Despite featuring mainly amateur players – more than 65 per cent of whom have day jobs – the league has attracted remarkable public attention. Attendance figures have rivaled professional leagues, and related content has amassed 4.98 billion views on Douyin, China's version of TikTok, as of June 18. Running from May to November with 13 city-based teams, the league is a grassroots celebration of local identity. Regional dialects, cuisines and customs all find expression in match-day festivities. Including elements ranging from Yangzhou's art of paper-cutting to Wuxi's laser light shows, matches are as much cultural events as they are athletic contests. The league's community-driven ethos has struck a chord. Originally priced at just 5 to 20 yuan, some tickets have been resold for as much as 620 yuan, reflecting the league's surging popularity. Some cities have bundled match access with tourism packages, transforming football fervor into a local-economy driver. Summed up neatly in the words of one fan: 'I came for football and received a gift from the whole city.' Taken together, these phenomena across cinema, tech, design and sport reveal an increasingly confident China that is telling its own stories in its own way, according to Shi Anbin, director of the Israel Epstein Center for Global Media and Communication at Tsinghua University. 'These four new icons of Chinese culture and creativity are not the result of top-down, state-led campaigns, but rather a dynamic expression of a nation that is becoming more diverse, imaginative and outward-looking.' In a world grappling with polarisation and fragmentation, China is offering something different: a synthesis of tradition and modernity, and a dialogue between local creativity and global engagement. Whether it's delivered on screen, in code, on the pitch or in a toy box, China's cultural and creative pulse is unmistakable – and the world is listening. – Xinhua China DeepSeek icons Labubu Ne Zha Su Super League Xinhua
