The vivid Wukong dough figurine made by Wang Qin. [Photo/Yangquan Daily]

The recent release of China's first AAA video game, Black Myth: Wukong, took social media by storm, propelling the character Wukong to viral fame. Seizing the moment, Wang Qin, a representative inheritor of Yangquan's colored dough modeling intangible cultural heritage, has skillfully blended this traditional Shanxi art with the popular game IP.

Wang's figurine of Wukong stands 20 centimeters tall, intricately crafted with precise details like facial features, hair, armor, and accessories. The design retains the game character's heroic and rebellious essence, while modern aesthetic touches, such as the black robe and gold embellishments, give the figure a mysterious and bold appeal.

Wang is engaged in the making of the Wukong figurine. [Photo/Yangquan Daily]

"As a dough figurine artisan, I hope to promote Yangquan's intangible cultural heritage uniquely, allowing more people to experience its vitality and charm," said Wang.

This fusion of ancient art and modern gaming showcases the evolution of traditional crafts and brings new life to cultural heritage.

Wang shows the process of making the dough figurine. [Photo/Yangquan Daily]