Chen Libao performs with a suona in a concert. Photo: Courtesy of Chen Libao

As the animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2continues to sweep the box-office charts since the Spring Festival,MKsports its soundtrack, infused with traditional Chinese music, has also caught people off guard, especially one piece played on suonathat has earned over half a million views on YouTube in two weeks.

The sharp and piercing sound of a suonahas made increasing presence overseas, whether in film scores, video games, or video-sharing platforms, these sounds are reaching audiences far beyond China, blending deep cultural roots with contemporary appeal.

Behind this growing trend is a generation of musicians and composers who are modernizing tradition without losing its essence.

One of the most striking examples of this fusion is the successful game Black Myth: Wukong. 

The game's soundtrack is rich with the resonant sound of the suona, an instrument now reimagined as a key storytelling device in an epic digital adventure.

Innovation in tradition

The composer behind this bold integration is Chen Libao, a suonainstrumentalist with the China National Traditional Orchestra. 

Known for his masterful performance of Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix,  a famous piece of music presented by suona, Chen is pushing the boundaries of how traditional Chinese instruments are used in modern media.

"The suonais not just an instrument, it carries the weight of Chinese culture," Chen told the Global Times. "In Black Myth: Wukong, it becomes more than just background music. It is a voice that narrates emotions, battle scenes, and mythical landscapes."

According to Chen, the game's developers chose a scene-based recording approach, blending the suonaseamlessly into different settings to enhance immersion. 

This level of artistic integration is rare in most commercial entertainment, making the game a milestone in the internationalization of Chinese-style music, he said.

"What the audience hears is not just a melody. It's an atmosphere, an emotion," he said. "The suonacan evoke distant war drums, whisper close to the ear, or even create an overwhelming sense of tension."

However, Chen also warns against modernization that strays too far from tradition. 

Some adaptations of Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix, have transposed it into C major or even added dance elements, diluting its original essence.

"Innovation should not distort the foundation of traditional music," he said. "The key is to preserve its core while making it resonate with contemporary audiences, especially younger generations who are rediscovering Chinese-style music."

Peng Jingxuan performs with the guzheng in Lyon, France. Photo: Courtesy of Peng Jingxuan

Going global 

While major productions like Black Myth: Wukongare bringing Chinese instruments to mainstream entertainment, individual musicians are also making an impact, especially on social media.

At the Place de la Comédie in Bordeaux, France, a young woman in hanfu gently plucks the strings of a guzheng. 

The song, Chi Ling, flows through the bustling square, transforming curiosity into admiration as a crowd gathers. 

The performer, Peng Jingxuan, is a Chinese-style music influencer with over 10 million followers on Douyin and more than a million subscribers on YouTube.

Peng has taken her instrument beyond traditional concert halls, performing at iconic locations such as the Eiffel Tower and even at the Cannes Film Festival, where she played her original composition Mulanon the red carpet.

"At first, I worried that a relatively unfamiliar instrument like the guzhengmight take time to be accepted," she told the Global Times. "But as soon as people heard it, they were captivated, not just by the sound but by the emotions it conveys."

A fan once commented on her video "Your performance is like a moving Chinese painting." This dual experience of visual and auditory beauty, she believes, is what makes Chinese-style music deeply impactful.

Peng has also experimented with cross-cultural collaborations, covering pieces like Croatian Rhapsodyon the guzheng. The global reception has been overwhelming, one of her videos received its first 10 comments in eight different languages.

"Short video platforms act as a 'borderless musical bridge,'" she said. "Through instant interaction, cultural dissemination has never been more efficient."

Emotional connection

The international appeal of Chinese-style music isn't limited to social media. More traditional platforms, such as symphony orchestras, are also embracing these sounds.

Li Yuankang, an erhu player with the New York Philharmonic, has performed Chinese pieces in concert halls across the world. He has seen firsthand how audiences unfamiliar with the instrument are drawn in by its emotional depth.

"People from different backgrounds might not immediately understand an instrument like the erhu," Li said. "But when they hear it, they feel something. That's the power of music, it doesn't need translation."

Li believes that cultural exchange through music goes beyond just performance, it's about storytelling. "Each note carries a history, a cultural essence that resonates even when the language is different," he said.

This emotional connection is at the heart of why Chinese-style music is gaining traction globally with its unique charm. While language can be a barrier, music has the power to create an instant bond.