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Abstract

The classic Chinese novel, Journey to the West, written by Wú Chéng’ēn in the 16th century of the Ming Dynasty, is an influential work in Chinese culture. The main character of the novel, the Monkey King Sun Wukong, has become a highly popular character and been adapted into various cultural products. Sun Wukong’s popularity was adapted into three films directed by Cheang Pou-soi, namely Monkey King 1 (2014), Monkey King 2 (2016), and Monkey King 3 (2018). This article analyzes the reconfiguration of Sun Wukong in the films based on the monomyth schemes by Joseph Campbell, focusing on the construction of Sun Wukong’s heroic journey and his hybridity visualization that is closely related to his transformation from an archetypal hero who represents the principle of the “Three Teachings in One” to a modern superhero who represents social and individual values in the “Twelve Core Values of Chinese Socialism”. Through the archetypal theme of the journey, hybridity visualization, and a set of values associated with Sun Wukong, this article tries to analyze the transformation of his heroism from a classic hero into a modern superhero. The re-contextualization of this transformation to the contemporary China’s situation reflects the spirit of China today and its long journey from traditionalism to modernity.

Bahasa Abstract

Novel klasik Cina berjudul Perjalanan ke Barat, yang ditulis oleh Wú Chéng'ēn pada era Dinasti Ming abad ke-16, merupakan karya yang berpengaruh dalam tradisi seni budaya Cina. Tokoh utama novel, Raja Kera Sun Wukong, telah menjadi tokoh yang sangat populer dan diadaptasi ke dalam berbagai produk budaya. Kepopuleran Sun Wukong telah diadaptasi menjadi tiga film yang disutradarai oleh Cheang Pou-soi, yaitu Monkey King 1 (2014), Monkey King 2 (2016), dan Monkey King 3 (2018). Artikel ini menganalisis rekonfigurasi SWK dalam film berdasarkan skema monomyth hero’s journey yang dicetuskan Joseph Campbell, dengan fokus pada konstruksi perjalanan heroik Sun Wukong dan visualisasi hibriditas yang terkait dengan transformasi Sun Wukong sebagai pahlawan yang merepresentasikan prinsip “Tiga Ajaran dalam Satu” menjadi seorang pahlawan modern yang mewakili nilai-nilai sosial dan individu dalam konsep “Dua Belas Nilai Inti Sosialisme Cina”. Melalui tema arketipe perjalanan, visualisasi hibriditas, dan seperangkat nilai yang diasosiasikan dengan Sun Wukong, artikel ini mengkaji transformasi kepahlawanan Sun Wukong dari pahlawan klasik menjadi pahlawan modern. Rekontekstualisasi transformasi ke dalam situasi Cina kontemporer ini mencerminkan semangat Cina masa kini, dengan sejarah perjalanan panjangnya dari tradisionalisme menuju modernitas.

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