When cutting-edge AI meets legendary storytelling, magic happens – and no one knows this better than Liu Xiao Ling Tong. The iconic actor behind Sun Wukong in the 1982 Journey to the West TV series recently shared his wisdom about balancing technology and human artistry in CGTN’s new 3D animated short The Legend of Wukong.
💡 “Technology amplifies imagination, but the soul of performance remains human,” Liu remarked after watching the AI-powered reboot of the Monkey King saga. Drawing parallels between his original physical acting (think epic staff spins 🌀) and today’s motion-capture wizardry, he emphasized preserving emotional authenticity in digital creations.
📽️ The animated short – which reimagines the classic tale with AI-generated landscapes and fluid character movements – has sparked debates about AI’s role in cultural preservation. Liu’s take? “Every era has its tools. What matters is keeping the story’s heartbeat alive.”
From wire-fu stunts in the ’80s to neural networks in 2025, this crossover moment proves one thing: Even in the age of algorithms, storytelling remains a profoundly human art. 🎭✨
