Constructing Cultural Identity with Traditional Chinese-Style Music in Soundscapes

In recent years, China's film and television industry has increasingly incorporated Traditional Chinese-style Music (TCM), not only to enhance narrative expression but also to construct culturally resonant soundscapes. By integrating traditional instruments and operatic motifs, these productions evoke imagery and collective memory, transforming auditory experience into cultural recognition. This study investigates how TCM contributes to soundscape construction that fosters audience identification. It examines how musical elements shape perception, how sonic imagery conveys cultural symbolism, and how creators reinforce strategies of cultural identification. Through case studies of The Legend of Zhenhuan and Kung Fu Panda, the research analyzes three soundscape components-Keynote Sound, Sound Signal, and Sound Mark-within the framework of Hero Theory. The findings suggest that domestic dramas tend to emphasize inward cultural identification, whereas Western animations favor outward cultural integration. This comparative inquiry elucidates the mechanisms through which TCM transforms sound into cultural signifiers and offers insights into how film and television music can further promote the global dissemination of Chinese culture.