Ne Zha 2, the sequel to China’s 2019 animated blockbuster, has solidified its place in cinema history. As of February 15th, the film has grossed over $1.5 billion (11 billion RMB), becoming China’s highest-grossing film of all time.
Fans have been captivated by the film’s rich Chinese cultural references, from ancient relics to auditory inspirations. To uncover these cultural treasures, we’ve launched Ne Zha 2 Hidden Gems—a behind-the-scenes series exploring the creative roots of the film. Today, we delve into the voice behind the sacred Seven-Colored Lotus.
In the film’s opening act, the immortal Taiyi Zhenren uses the mystical Seven-Colored Lotus to help reconstruct the protagonists’ bodies. Yang Rui, one of the film’s original music producers, was tasked with scoring this ethereal moment.
While Yang initially chose a women’s choir for the score, he faced creative challenges. “We experimented with different versions of choirs, including children’s choirs, but they didn’t meet our expectations,” Yang revealed in a Douyin video. “After exploring singing styles from various ethnic minority groups, we finally settled on the Kam Grand Choirs.”
The Kam Grand Choirs, a #UNESCO-recognized a cappella tradition from China’s #Guizhou province, are an integral part of the ethnic Dong culture, with a history dating back to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. This polyphonic singing style mimics natural sounds—such as cicadas, mountain streams, and even squirrels—through intricate harmonies. “Its connection with nature perfectly aligns with the theme of the lotus blooming,” Yang explained.
Yang’s team traveled to Guizhou province to collaborate with a local choir to complete the score. During the recording, the choir members wore traditional Dong clothing. “This musical segment is brief, but it allowed us to blend the vocal heritage of China’s ethnic minority groups with modern musical expressions and present it to audiences worldwide. It was truly a worthwhile endeavor,” Yang added.
Ne Zha 2 is now showing in theaters across North America, Australia, and New Zealand. As it steadily climbs the global box office charts, the film is approaching the all-time global top 10.
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