In early 2024, during the night tour themed event of Changchun Zoological and Botanical Park's "Dream Journey to the West Night Tour in the Zoo", the "Sun Wukong" who was trapped under the "Five Elements Mountain" became popular. The actors are funny and humorous, and they even make hilarious jokes when interacting with tourists, bringing everyone a lot of joy and laughter. He was nicknamed the "Snow Cake Monkey" by netizens because he complained that the snow cakes fed to tourists were "too dry and throat-irritating." Since then, "Snow Cake Monkey" has become a major IP in Jilin Cultural Tourism.
The "Snow Cake Monkey" under the mask has another identity - college student Wang Qingfeng. Recently, Wang Qingfeng successfully completed his studies from Jilin University of the Arts and spoke at the graduation ceremony as an outstanding graduate.
Recently, Wang Qingfeng told a reporter from Upstream News (report email: [email protected]), "Sun Wukong is not only a character, but also an attitude towards life. His indomitable and never-say-die spirit is worthy of our Study. ”
“Snow Cake Monkey” ushered in the graduation season
This year, a “monkey” trapped under the “Five Elements Mountain” in the Changchun Zoological and Botanical Park became popular.
"Snow Cake Monkey" takes photos with tourists. Photo provided by the interviewee
At the end of 2023, the night tour project of Changchun Zoological and Botanical Park successfully obtained the first authorization in the country for the copyright of the 86 edition of "Journey to the West" from China Central Radio and Television Station, and further explored the elements of Journey to the West and implemented classic scenes. Comprehensive upgrade of the park to create a "Journey to the West Theme Park" will bring visitors an extraordinary immersive experience. The park has created 12 new scenes, including the birth of the Monkey King, the Havoc in Heaven, and the foot of Wuzhi Mountain, to review original classics and recreate childhood memories for tourists of different ages to relive classics.
The "Sun Wukong" who was trapped under the "Five Elements Mountain" in the park became popular. The majority of netizens love to call the snow cake "Snow Cake Monkey" because they complain that the snow cake is "too dry and throat-irritating". He is funny and humorous, and he makes hilarious jokes when interacting with tourists. Because he talks a lot, the "Snowcake Monkey" is also nicknamed "The Loud Talker" by everyone, and he brings a lot of joy and laughter to everyone.
html On July 6, an upstream reporter saw at the Changchun Zoological and Botanical Park performance site that many tourists were already queuing up before the performance of "Sun Wukong was crushed under the Five Elements Mountain" began. "I used to watch his performances in the live broadcast room. This time I made a special trip from Henan. Today is my third day in Changchun. I have been here twice. He is so rare." Tourists Mr. Li and his wife, whose hometown is In Jiaozuo City, Henan Province, they came to Changchun specially to see the "Snow Cake Monkey".A local citizen in Changchun told an upstream reporter that by interacting with "Monkey King" through feeding, not only can he relive the classics and return to the culture of Journey to the West, but he can also reap joy and gain full emotional value.
The "Sun Wukong" who is imprisoned under the "Five Elements Mountain" is most active than the mouth under the mask - not only must he eat all kinds of food enthusiastically "fed" by tourists, but he must also answer conversations skillfully and with humor of words, making sure not to let a word "fall on the floor."
"Hello friends from Shanghai, I am a monkey. I wish you happiness every day, come on, come on, come on!" "I, Sun, wish you success in taking the postgraduate entrance examination"... During the performance, tourists often hope to get the "Snow Cake Monkey" Blessings for me to pass the postgraduate entrance exams and graduate school entrance exams.
The "Snow Pancake Monkey" who wishes tourists a successful landing has faced issues such as future planning and employment just like many graduates. Another identity of "Snow Cake Monkey" is college student Wang Qingfeng. Wang Qingfeng is 25 years old this year and is a student in Class 3 of Dance Performance Class 2020 at the Dance School of Jilin University of the Arts. On June 28, Wang Qingfeng attended the graduation ceremony of Jilin University of the Arts as a graduate and spoke at the graduation ceremony as an outstanding graduate.
html At the beginning of July, Wang Qingfeng moved his personal belongings from the dormitory, said goodbye to the school, and officially entered another new stage of life. Wang Qingfeng told reporters that at the graduation ceremony, he prepared a full three-page speech. "I have practiced it many times and I am still very nervous. Studying at Jilin University of the Arts can be said to be a turning point in my life. I am very grateful to the school and teachers for their training."Regarding his life plan, Wang Qingfeng wants to seize every opportunity.Wang Qingfeng said that there was a course "Career Planning for College Students" when he was in college, so he did not think about employment issues after graduation, but planned and arranged study plans during college earlier to seek more possibilities.
"All graduates face employment problems, and so do I. I think the first thing is to follow your own wishes and find an industry that suits you. You will be comfortable and motivated when you work." Wang Qingfeng said that when he was a senior, many employers Recruitment is carried out through the school's supply and demand meeting, including Changchun Zoological and Botanical Park's need for actors. After Wang Qingfeng discovered this recruitment information, he decided to apply without thinking too much.
"The most important thing is to seize every opportunity." At that time, other dance troupes also offered an olive branch to Wang Qingfeng, but he believed that this job of playing the monkey was more suitable for him. "My appearance and hardware conditions are inferior to those of my classmates, and Sun Wukong is my favorite image, so why not change the direction."
In the future, Wang Qingfeng hopes that he will take a further step in his profession and make his stage career go further. Wider, farther and farther.
After more than ten years of training, a dancer crosses over to play Sun Wukong.
Many people may wonder, how can a dancer play the role of Sun Wukong and make the character so vivid? This starts with Wang Qingfeng’s journey to study.
Wang Qingfeng participated in large-scale stage performances during his school days. Jilin University of the Arts official account
Wang Qingfeng is from Dehui City, Jilin Province, and has been exposed to opera since he was a child. When he was young, Wang Qingfeng came to Dehui City to study at the Erren Transfer Training Class. His father unfortunately passed away due to an accident, and his grandparents were seriously ill. Wang Qingfeng, who was only 11 years old, shouldered the burden of the family at a young age. In front of his grandfather's hospital bed, Wang Qingfeng once said: "I can carry this family."
In order to get ahead as soon as possible, he practiced the basic skills of Duan Zhuan every day. When he was 12 years old, Wang Qingfeng won the championship in the children's category of the fourth "Two Persons" competition. After that, he came to Changchun, Jilin Province to study under a teacher and learn Ji opera. "Different from the free and easy Errenzhuan, Ji Opera is more professional and closer to opera." Wang Qingfeng recalled that practicing Kung Fu is very hard. Singing, reciting, doing acrobatics, somersaults, and memorizing opera lyrics all require hard work, because Kung Fu is often practiced by the master. Scolded harshly. "Without the strict teachings of my master, I would not have the kung fu I have today, nor would I be the 'Snow Cake Monkey' I am today."
When Wang Qingfeng sang duet, his master once designed a monkey show for him. In 2016, Wang Qingfeng performed in the performance Played as Sun Wukong. "I think that in order to perform the Sun Wukong well, I must not only look the same when wearing the clothes, but also have the same body shape and eyes. The image of Sun Wukong interpreted by the teacher Liu Xiaolingtong on the screen is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. I often try to figure out the image of the Sun Wukong repeatedly during the performance. The teacher performed superbly and did a lot of homework," said Wang Qingfeng.
Studying away from home, experiencing setbacks, frustrations in the competition, and losing loved ones... Wang Qingfeng's experience seems to be similar to that of Sun Wukong. "Sun Wukong's indomitable and unyielding spirit has always inspired me." Wang Qingfeng explain.
’s hardworking spirit in studying art continued in Wang Qingfeng’s college life. In 2020, Wang Qingfeng was admitted to the Dance School of Jilin University of the Arts through hard work. While in school, he often participated in rehearsing large-scale stage plays and won many national inspirational scholarships.
After entering the Changchun Zoological and Botanical Park, Wang Qingfeng performed Sun Wukong's expression, demeanor and body language vividly. "I've just climbed a few mountains and crossed a few rivers. Why are there so many rugged roads? My old grandson has to go..." Accompanied by the familiar music, "Sun Wukong" ran up the stairs vigorously, lightly and quickly. On the stage, he did a few backflips and came to the center of the stage, and then quickly waved and rotated the golden cudgel, which attracted thunderous applause and cheers from the audience.
Faced with the snow cakes that tourists were "feeding", he joked humorously: "I always eat snow cakes. Why do I eat this stuff? I choke." "Who will bring it to me in the future?" When the snow cake comes, he won't be allowed in." These words quickly became popular on the Internet, making the name "Snow Cake Monkey" synonymous with him.Netizens were attracted by his humor and came to check in one after another to get a glimpse of the "Monkey King".
strives to promote the culture of Journey to the West
Not only has its offline popularity soared, but Wang Qingfeng's live broadcast room is also very lively.
"At the beginning, there were only 5 or 10 viewers in the live broadcast room. Then I broadcast live under the ice skates in the Zoological and Botanical Park, and 5,000 people watched. On the fourth day of the live broadcast, more than 100,000 viewers came." He not only In the live broadcast room, he interacted and chatted with fans, and also shared his daily life and performance experience.
The Sun Wukong drawn by a young fan was collected by Wang Qingfeng. Photography/Upstream News Reporter Zhang Ying
At around 3 p.m., Wang Qingfeng came to the lounge early to prepare for the two performances and live broadcast that night. The lounge is filled with small gifts sent by fans: flowers, handicrafts, paintings, etc. Some tourists came to the lounge early and waited expectantly, hoping to take photos with the "Snowcake Monkey". There were also loyal tourists who came to the park more than 20 times.
Regarding his popularity, Wang Qingfeng said that the fact that he has received so much love and attention reflects the audience's identification with traditional culture, their love for Journey to the West culture, Sun Wukong, and finally their love for "Snow Cake Monkey" "Love. "As the actor of Sun Wukong, I feel very happy. Every performance is a cultural transmission." Wang Qingfeng said.
This job actually affects children more. Currently, the Changchun Zoological and Botanical Park Night Tour has held a series of traditional culture activities on campus "Chinese Classic Xinhuo Biography, Erudite and Determined Young People". Four "Tang Monk Masters and Disciples" have visited many schools to let children feel that the culture of Journey to the West is here By their side, they guide young people to strengthen their cultural self-confidence. Some parents told Wang Qingfeng that their children didn't like to do homework. After seeing the "Snow Cake Monkey", they finished their homework in one day.
During the interview, Wang Qingfeng showed a special painting: the Monkey King himself painted by a young fan, and it also read, "Five hundred years ago, there was havoc in the Heavenly Palace, and the Water Curtain Cave of the Flower and Fruit Mountain was omnipotent from heaven to earth. Monkey King, the Monkey King.”
Wang Qingfeng also used the Northeastern dialect to interpret Sun Wukong in a humorous way, conveying the Northeastern language and culture and letting the audience understand the city of Changchun.
He also absorbs different feedback and accumulates experience during every day's performance. Every tourist has different problems. During one interaction, a child asked the "Snow Cake Monkey": "Is Sun Wukong really lying down at the foot of the mountain?" "Is your butt red?" Wang Qingfeng was amused and laughed: "Children are very innocent and simple. , and full of curiosity about Sun Wukong. "
Wang Qingfeng said: "What I can do is to work hard to play the characters well, so that young people, children, and the elderly can see the characters in Journey to the West come to life again. "
Currently, Wang Qingfeng’s personal account has more than 1.3 million followers, and “Snow Cake Monkey” has become a major IP in Jilin Cultural Tourism. In February this year, Wang Qingfeng was awarded the title of Changchun Cultural Tourism Recommendation Officer. Not long ago, Wang Qingfeng's first single "I am a Snow Cake Monkey" was officially released.
"As a graduate who has just stepped out of campus, it must be stressful to shoulder the heavy responsibility of promoting cultural tourism in my hometown, but it is also my honor." Wang Qingfeng said that he has encountered family changes and faced hardships since he was a child, which is the cultural treasure of his hometown. To help him get out of his predicament, he has the responsibility to promote the culture, food, and beautiful scenery of his hometown.
He also has his own understanding of the "Snow Cake Monkey": "The 'Snow Cake Monkey' does not only belong to me. Everyone can be a 'Snow Cake Monkey' as long as they are committed to contributing to the promotion of the cultural tourism of Damei Jilin and Damei Changchun. '.”
upstream news reporter Zhang Ying
