Latest news with #CaoYu
Borneo Post
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Tianjin turns streets into stage with immersive ‘Sunrise' revival
Performers of Tianjin People's Art Theater perform Chinese classic drama 'Sunrise' at a commercial street in north China's Tianjin on Oct 26, 2024. – Xinhua photo TIANJIN (April 24): In the bustling heart of the historic Jinjie commercial district in Tianjin, a northern Chinese port city, the rhythmic clatter of a rickshaw and the elegant swish of a qipao-clad socialite's fan whisked the audience away to the ambiance of 1930s China. Here, a groundbreaking adaptation of renowned Chinese playwright Cao Yu's seminal work Sunrise unfolded – not on a traditional stage – but amid the cobblestones and colonnades where its story was first conceived. Set in the 1930s, the play reveals the stark contrast between the decadent lifestyle of the privileged elite and the harsh struggles of the underprivileged in that historical period, blending a poignant critique of systemic inequality with a hopeful vision for a better future. Since its debut in October 2024, this immersive street-corner production by the Tianjin People's Art Theater has attracted over 60,000 spectators across more than 30 public holiday performances, redefining how audiences engage with classical theater and how cities harness cultural heritage to boost tourism and revive consumption. Staged near the iconic giant copper coin square and the historic site of Huizhong Hotel – the original setting of the play – the production dissolved the boundary between performers and spectators. Audience members were invited to dress as rickshaw pullers or thugs and speak improvise lines, creating an immersive experience that emphasised interactivity and made every spectator an integral part of the performance. 'Experiencing the play in its actual historical setting creates powerful verisimilitude, giving the audience an unparalleled sense of immersion,' said Lu Sen, director of the production. An actress of Tianjin People's Art Theater performs Chinese classic drama 'Sunrise' at a commercial street in north China's Tianjin on Oct 26, 2024. – Xinhua photo Tracing its roots to the early-mid 20th century, immersive theater fundamentally redefined performance spaces, from repurposed factories to urban streetscapes, by making environmental engagement and audience interaction its central artistic tenets. Performing in this immersive street production presented unique challenges, said Xu Nuo, an actress in the play. 'With audiences surrounding us 360 degrees, every flicker of emotion becomes visible,' she explained, adding that they had to live their roles more intensely than on conventional stages, while continuously engaging spectators. 'The characters step right out of the screen,' marveled a visitor from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region who grew up watching a TV adaptation of the play. 'This innovative approach provides a brilliant way to introduce Tianjin's heritage to visitors.' The approach also mirrors global trends. In recent years, productions like Sleep No More, pioneered by British immersive theater company Punchdrunk, Then She Fell in the US, and Apollonia, adapted from the South Korean musical Mia Famiglia, have redefined live performance, engaging audiences through deeply interactive experiences. Not far from the giant copper coin square, Riverside 66, a luxury mall owned by Hong Kong-based Hang Lung Properties, was transformed into an immersive theater, hosting multiple performances of Sunrise. Tenants joined in with promotions, turning theater-going into a vibrant blend of shopping and cultural experience. Gong Hongru, director of the management committee of Jinjie commercial district, emphasised the transformative impact of the immersive street-corner production. 'When audiences time-travel through Tianjin's history here, they don't just watch a play; they fuel the district's economic vitality,' Gong said. Performers of Tianjin People's Art Theater perform Chinese classic drama 'Sunrise' at a commercial street in north China's Tianjin on Oct 26, 2024. – Xinhua photo Scholars view this participatory wave as part of a broader generational shift. According to Zhang Hongsheng, a cultural economist at the Communication University of China, younger audiences increasingly seek immersive experiences over passive consumption. Social media is amplifying the trend. For instance, on Xiaohongshu, the Chinese lifestyle platform known internationally as 'rednote', posts tagged 'cultural tourism' have surpassed 50 million views, with interactive cultural activities and hands-on intangible heritage experiences emerging as popular trends. 'Immersive cultural travel experience isn't just about sightseeing,' wrote a Xiaohongshu user. 'It's mindful living. In this hectic era, this is how we reclaim our heritage heartbeat.' The surge in cultural deep-dive tourism also helps revitalise historic districts. Official data show that over 300 cultural blocks and 1,800 heritage buildings nationwide were rejuvenated between 2023 and 2024, weaving historical legacy into contemporary vitality through cultural tourism and commerce. Each performance of the immersive Sunrise is livestreamed, drawing a massive online audience. 'I was completely captivated, and I hope more people know about this production,' echoed viewers on social media. 'It's not just a play; it's a love letter to the city.' Tianjin's 'urban theater' initiative has now emerged as a cultural signature of the city, said Zhang Lijuan, deputy Party secretary of Tianjin People's Art Theater. 'We're turning streets into stages, integrating art into daily life and letting visitors experience Tianjin's cultural heritage and artistic vibrancy.' As the performance concluded, the cast returned to the giant copper coin square. Their synchronised bow toward the site of Huizhong Hotel wasn't just a curtain call, it was a silent homage to the literary giant whose work has now breathed new life into this historic space. – Xinhua China Sunrise Tianjin People's Art Theater Xinhua
Korea Herald
25-03-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
Zeekr sets up Korean entity, eyes 2026 market entry
China's premium electric vehicle brand Zeekr has established a Korean entity, paving the way for its market entry next year. Zeekr, a subsidiary of China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, founded Zeekr Intelligent Technology Korea on Feb. 28. According to its registration with the Korean Supreme Court, the Korean office will handle imports, distribution, sales and after-sales services for vehicles and related products to be sold here. Its business scope includes the development, manufacturing and processing of EV batteries, suggesting potential expansion into battery production in Korea. The brand's regional director for East Asia, Cao Yu, is registered as the corporation's representative director, while Kim Nam-ho, who has led Zeekr's launch in Korea, is also registered as an inside director. As part of its plan to make a foray into the Korean market as early as 2026, Zeekr completed its trademark registration with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on March 17. At the end of 2024, it also selected five Korean dealers — H Motors, Iron Motors, Gojin Motors, KCC Auto Group and Aju Autorium — for sales and after-sales service for its models. As these dealerships have previously sold other Geely Group brands, including Volvo, Polestar and Lotus, the industry expects Zeekr to enter the Korean market more smoothly than Chinese EV brand BYD, whose entry has been delayed for over a month while awaiting EV subsidy qualification after its launch in January. The Zeekr 001 sedan and Zeekr 7X sport utility vehicle are expected to be the first models to arrive in Korea, and the intellectual property authority is currently reviewing the Chinese automaker's trademark application for the 7X name. Launched in Europe last December, the premium SUV's rear-wheel-drive model is priced at 53,000 euros ($57,380), while the all-wheel-drive model starts at 63,000 euros, highlighting its differentiated positioning from other budget EV models from China.
Korea Herald
23-03-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
Zeekr sets up Korean entity, aims for 2026 market entry
China's premium electric vehicle brand Zeekr has established a Korean entity, paving the way for its market entry next year. Zeekr, a subsidiary of China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, founded Zeekr Intelligent Technology Korea on Feb. 28. According to its registration with the Korean Supreme Court, the Korean office will handle imports, distribution, sales and after-sales services for vehicles and related products to be sold here. Its business scope includes the development, manufacturing and processing of EV batteries, suggesting potential expansion into battery production in Korea. The brand's regional director for East Asia, Cao Yu, is registered as the corporation's representative director, while Kim Nam-ho, who has led Zeekr's launch in Korea, is also registered as an inside director. As part of its plan to make a foray into the Korean market as early as 2026, Zeekr completed its trademark registration with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on March 17. At the end of 2024, it also selected five Korean dealers — H Motors, Iron Motors, Gojin Motors, KCC Auto Group and Aju Autorium — for sales and after-sales service for its models. As these dealerships have previously sold other Geely Group brands, including Volvo, Polestar and Lotus, the industry expects Zeekr to enter the Korean market more smoothly than Chinese EV brand BYD, whose entry has been delayed for over a month while awaiting EV subsidy qualification after its launch in January. The Zeekr 001 sedan and Zeekr 7X sport utility vehicle are expected to be the first models to arrive in Korea, and the intellectual property authority is currently reviewing the Chinese automaker's trademark application for the 7X name. Launched in Europe last December, the premium SUV's rear-wheel-drive model is priced at 53,000 euros ($57,380), while the all-wheel-drive model starts at 63,000 euros, highlighting its differentiated positioning from other budget EV models from China.
