Black Myth: The Real Inspiration Behind Zhong Kui Explained

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Last year, the action RPG game titled Black Myth: Wukong, which draws inspiration from Chinese mythology, made a significant impact upon its release on PS5 and PC. Surprisingly developed by the lesser-known company, Game Science, it swiftly climbed to the top of sales charts on both platforms, eventually ranking among the fastest-selling games ever. Although most of the game’s sales were within China, Black Myth: Wukong gained immense popularity abroad, leading to an overnight sensation. Its success even stimulated Chinese tourism and sparked broader global interest in video games developed in China.

Although Black Myth: Wukong features its own standalone storyline, it was originally designed as the initial title in a multi-part series. The extraordinary reception of Wukong has prompted Game Science to unveil a follow-up earlier than some had anticipated. At the Gamescom Opening Night Live event, the company showcased a teaser for Black Myth: Zhong Kui, the upcoming main entry in the Black Myth series. Unlike its predecessor, Black Myth: Zhong Kui will not be a direct sequel but will tell a fresh story with a brand-new protagonist, namely Zhong Kui, as its central character.

The Next Black Myth Game is Focusing On an Entirely New Character, Zhong Kui

Just like its predecessor, the upcoming game, Black Myth: Zhong Kui, draws heavily on ancient Chinese mythology. Although Game Science hasn’t shared many details about its storyline yet, it is expected to include various characters from Chinese folklore and literature, focusing primarily on the legend of Zhong Kui in Taoism. It’s crucial to understand that Black Myth: Zhong Kui will not be based on any content from the Chinese novel Journey to the West, unlike its counterpart Black Myth: Wukong. Instead, this game is primarily inspired by the original tale of Zhong Kui.

In Chinese folklore, Zhong Kui is a powerful Taoist spirit known for his role as a ghostbuster and demon fighter. Typically depicted as a formidable middle-aged man with an untamed beard, wide eyes, and robust build, he’s often accompanied by five bats, symbolizing the Chinese belief of wufu or the five blessings – these embody prosperity, wealth, and good fortune.

In various Asian nations, such as Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, the tale of Zhong Kui also enjoys widespread recognition, despite its Chinese origins.

Zhong Kui Has Deep Roots in Chinese and Taoist Folklore

In Chinese folklore, much like Sun Wukong in Black Myth: Wukong, Zhong Kui also has an intriguing origin story. Prior to his role as a ghost hunter, Zhong Kui had a friendship with a fellow villager named Du Ping. They both embarked on a journey together to the ancient city of Chang’an (now Xi’an) for imperial examinations hosted by the state. Excelling in scholarly subjects, Zhong Kui earned the prestigious title of Zhuangyuan, indicating he scored highest on the most difficult level of the examination. However, his title was unjustly revoked by Emperor Gaozu of Tang due to a simple dislike for his appearance.

The imperial examination system, employed during imperial China’s era, served as a method to identify qualified individuals for government positions within the administrative structure.

After being stripped of the title he deserved, Zhong Kui, driven by anger, relentlessly charged at the imperial palace gates. In the heat of his fury, he ended up taking his own life. Upon death, he encountered Yanluo Wang, the underworld’s judge. Despite Zhong Kui’s troubled past, Yanluo Wang recognized his potential and made him the ruler of ghosts instead of punishing him. He was tasked with capturing, hunting, and disciplining as many malevolent spirits as possible due to his role as a ghost hunter. Considering his intriguing background story and the nature of his job, it seems fitting for Zhong Kui to be chosen as the central character in a video game like “Black Myth: Zhong Kui,” which promises an engaging portrayal of his tale.

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2025-08-21 00:04