Honestly, when we think of animation, we usually only think of Japan or companies like Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks.

But after watching the Chinese animation Chang'an 30,000 Li, it seems that China is significantly strengthening its cultural influence.

In fact, with a population of over 1.4 billion, China has a vast pool of talent, which likely contributed to this masterpiece.

Chang'an 30,000 Li is set during the Tang Dynasty. It tells the story of people living during that time in a very calm manner.

Historical figures like Li Bai and Du Fu, whom we learned about in history class, appear, and the story revolves around their friendships, dreams, and frustrations.

What impressed me the most was the way classical Chinese poetry was integrated into the animation.

It's not just the poetry we memorized from textbooks; it comes alive through the emotions and situations of the characters.

With familiar emotions and music for Koreans, the depth of the work is quite palpable.

So, this isn't just an animation for kids; it seems to have the power to attract adults as well.

Technically, it's quite impressive. The depiction of Chang'an during the Tang Dynasty is incredibly detailed and grand.

The scale of the city, its atmosphere, and the natural scenery are almost at a cinematic level.

The character expressions and movements are as natural as those in Disney or Pixar, and the color palette modernizes the feel of traditional ink paintings.

In the past, there was a perception that Chinese animation was somewhat lacking, but this work completely shatters that bias.

Moreover, the production itself was centered around Chinese capital, talent, and studios.

Instead of outsourcing or relying on foreign technology, they completed this large-scale project and achieved commercial success through their own efforts.

In fact, the audience numbers and revenue in China were tremendous, showcasing the market potential that comes from the domestic market.

Their content strategy didn't just mimic Western styles; it boldly highlighted Chinese history and culture.

By utilizing the symbolism of the Tang Dynasty as a golden age of Chinese culture, they seem to emphasize cultural pride.

This feels less like just an animation and more like a confident declaration of our story to the global market.

Watching Chang'an 30,000 Li, you can sense that while Japan has a deep emotional history and Disney has established technical prowess, China is finding its own path in between.

Instead of opting for flashy fantasy, they chose history and literature, and instead of quick pacing, they selected narratives that leave a lasting impression.

Based on that vast domestic market, as they continue to build experience and technology, the presence of Chinese animation will grow significantly in the future.

There has been talk that Chinese content is weak. Chang'an 30,000 Li seems to signal that this may no longer be the case.

Ultimately, the message of this work is clear.

Animation is no longer just the domain of Japan and the U.S.

And in the midst of that change, Chang'an 30,000 Li seems to herald the beginning of a rise in Chinese-style animation.

To maintain the global cultural content trend of K-culture, it seems we also need to pay more attention to this area.