First virtual Chinese opera influencer debuts on TV

A virtual character debuted on China's TV variety show to perform Peking opera, causing a buzz online.

The virtual character, named Ling, is a social media KOL (key opinion leader) created by Next Generation Studio and Xmov. Her design models that of a virtual influencer who loves and promotes Chinese traditional culture, including Peking opera, tea culture, and calligraphy.

The virtual influencer can also sing. On the Bravo Youngsters! show of China Central Television (CCTV), she performed a segment of The Heavenly Maids Scatter Blossoms taking cues from the style of Mei Lanfang, China's legendary opera master. The performance made for an innovative visual feast, using unprecedented special effects and filming angles for an opera.

The team behind Ling, Next Generation Studio, hopes to use such characters to introduce Chinese traditional culture to those generations born in the new century, engaging them via the things that they know best: forming social connections and communicating online. Ling was initially designed to mirror a girl who enjoyed Peking opera — her talents and image were then crafted according to her personality.

During the TV show, Ling also spoke to the audience, saying: As long as people continue to pass on the classics and continue their dreams, then all the past classics will converge into the future and traditional art will be reborn across time and space.

As a social network influencer, Ling currently has more than 75,000 followers on Sina Weibo.