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

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.