Yue Opera Actress Chen Lijun’s Online Presence Captivates Young Audiences, Reviving Traditional Opera
By Wang Yang
In a surprising turn of events, Chen Lijun, a post-90s Yue opera actress who recently gained fame for her role in the environmental opera “New Dragon Inn,” has become an internet sensation. Her portrayal of the supporting character, “Jade Faced Prince” Jia Ting, has garnered attention from numerous young viewers, ultimately revitalizing interest in traditional opera. This newfound popularity has also enticed non-traditional theatergoers to venture into the world of Yue opera.
Chen Lijun, expressing her gratitude towards her fans, uploaded a video online stating, “Thank you all for your love and support. I hope everyone will indulge themselves in the immersive experience of Yue opera and embrace being ‘trapped’ in its enchantment.”
The highly-acclaimed national style and environmental production, “New Longmen Inn,” is a residential performance pioneered by Yue opera artist Mao Weitao and led by the Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe, among others. Based on the classic martial arts film of the same name, this drama not only presents martial arts stories through traditional opera and Yue opera forms but also shatters conventional viewing norms. The audience is immersed in the play’s setting, actively engaging with the characters.
During its live broadcast on an online platform in August, “New Dragon Inn” attracted nearly 10 million views. In fact, obtaining tickets for the residential performances remains a challenging task. Official figures reveal that approximately 70% of the audience comprises non-traditional Yue opera enthusiasts, primarily composed of young individuals.
So, what is it about a young, trendy actress and an experimental opera that captivates the youth and rejuvenates interest in traditional Yue opera? Many netizens who have watched “New Longmen Inn” express their sentiments. They mention that Chen Lijun’s graceful and dashing appearance allures them to the opera. They say it is like “old wine in a new bottle, pleasing both to the eye and the palate!” Clearly, this production flawlessly combines the essence of traditional opera, including the mesmerizing melodies and the actors’ captivating performances, with a fresh and interactive twist.
Furthermore, a key factor in attracting the young audience is the introduction of the “environmental drama” model to traditional Yue opera. Breaking away from the traditional “on-stage and off-stage” viewing experience, this format allows the audience to be physically near the performers, completely immersed in the performance. The interactive nature of the play enhances the sense of participation, which is exactly what today’s youth seek in their quest for novel and captivating experiences. Additionally, a viral video of the young actress Chen Lijun spinning with her co-star post-performance has further fueled the interest of the younger generation, who enjoy witnessing chemistry between actors, thereby generating more attention for traditional Yue opera.
Original title: Yue Opera girl’s online appearance attracts young audiences to “enter the trap” to watch the opera
Wang Yang
Recently, Chen Lijun, a post-90s female Yue opera actor who starred in the Yue environmental opera “New Dragon Inn”, quickly became popular on the Internet. Her role as “Jade Faced Prince” Jia Ting is in a supporting role. has attracted many young audiences, and she promotes traditional opera. At the same time, it also attracts many non-traditional theater audiences to “enter” the theater to watch plays. In the face of the audience’s love, Chen Lijun posted a video online and said: “Thank you to everyone for your love. I hope everyone will lie at the bottom of the Yue Opera pool when ‘falling into the trap.’
It is understood that the new national style and environmental Yue opera “New Longmen Inn” is an “environmental drama” residential performance model created in Hangzhou by Yue opera performance artist Mao Weitao, led by Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe and others. This drama is adapted from the classic martial arts film of the same name. It not only interprets martial arts stories in the form of traditional opera art and Yue opera, but also breaks the traditional viewing model, by allow the audience to immerse themselves in the play scene and interact with the characters in the play. In August this year, “New Dragon Inn” was broadcast live on an online platform for the first time, attracting nearly 10 million views. Currently, it is still difficult to get tickets for the show’s residential performances. According to official data, Yue Opera’s non-traditional audiences account for 70%, and they are basically young people.
Why can the appearance of a young actor and fashionable opera work make traditional Yue opera the center of public attention again and attract young audiences to “enter” the theater to watch the opera? Many netizens who have watched Yue’s opera “New Longmen Inn” said: “Chen Lijun’s chic and handsome appearance makes people fall in love with watching Yue’s opera.” “Old wine in new bottles looks good and tastes good!” Indeed, it is not difficult to see from this that one On the one hand, the Yue Opera “New Longmen Inn” has the core of a traditional opera, with the charming singing of the actors, charming figures, and inherent performance elements on the other hand, the “environmental drama” model is introduced to traditional Yue opera, breaking the traditional “on-stage and off-stage” viewing method, allowing the audience to watch the performance close and immersive, while also interacting with the actors, enhancing the sense of participation. This is what young audiences are after these days with fresh experiences Immersive viewing method. In addition, the video of the young actress Chen Lijun holding her actor partner in one hand and spinning around during the return of the performance also exploded on the Internet. This also caught the traffic code of young audiences who love to “eating CP” when watching plays, so that young people understand better Young people’s performance has gained more traffic for traditional Yue opera.
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