The Wuxia Dilemma in an Era of Technological Spectacle: How Digital Effects Undermine Wuxia’s Mind-Body-Dao Tradition in The Great Hero
Published 09/04/2025
Keywords
- wuxia films,
- digital special effects,
- cultural authenticity,
- technological spectacle,
- The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Great Hero
Copyright (c) 2025 authors
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of digital special effects on wuxia films, focusing on The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Great Hero (2025) as a case of technological adaptation in the genre. Through a comparative case analysis of The Great Hero, Jin Yong’s original novel and classic TV adaptations, the study reveals how overused hyper-realistic effects disrupt wuxia’s mind-body-Dao tradition, undermining the narrative and cultural foundations. The findings underscore a critical tension between technological innovation and cultural authenticity, calling for a balanced approach to digital effects in wuxia adaptations.