Chuānyuè (Chinese: 穿越), also chuānkōng (Chinese: 穿空), shortened from chuānyuè shíkōng (Chinese: 穿越時空; lit. 'interdimensional travel'), is a Chinese genre of speculative fiction where the protagonist either travels back in time to historical periods,[1] or travels to a different world. In both interpretations, the traveler might come to the new reality as their physical body or transmigrates into a local resident's body.

The first modern work of the genre is said to be A Step into the Past by Hong Kong writer Huang Yi. Many works that can be categorized as chuanyue are published by Qidian Chinese Network, including Illumine Lingao.

Common subgenres

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Qingchuan

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A popular subgenre is Qingchuan (Chinese: 清穿), where the often female protagonist travels back to the Qing dynasty and engages in romance with the sons of Qing Emperors. The three novels Bubu Jingxin,[2] Meng Hui Da Qing, and Yao Hua are the first three Qingchuan novels. They are also called "the three hills of Qingchuan novel".[citation needed] Qingchuan novels are of great popularity among Chinese people, especially the young women. Some of the novels like Bu Bu Jingxin are so popular that they have already been adapted into TV series. These TV series have won great audience ratings since broadcast.

Kuaichuan

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Another popular subgenre is Kuaichuan (Chinese: 快穿) which literally means “speedy chuanyue,” usually translated as "quick transmigration." This kind of subgenre contains several short stories of different subgenres linking together, either as a recording of competition or experiences in different worlds, with a thematic character.

Some notable examples include: Cheating Men Must Die (Chinese: 万渣朝凰; pinyin: Wàn zhā cháo huáng) (manhua), Cannon Fodder's Record of Counterattacks (Chinese: 炮灰女配逆袭记) (web novel, with manhua adaptations).

Publishers

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Most of these chuanyue stories are published by several light novels websites like: Qidian Chinese Network, “Red Sleeves”, Jinjiang etc. When a novel becomes very popular, the publisher may in turn publish it in print, or reproduce the work in other forms like comics or TV drama.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "北水南調 閱讀美少女" [Influences from Mainland China: What are those light novels the Hong Kong teenage girls like to read?]. Apple Daily Hong Kong (in Cantonese). 2008-03-31. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-06-11.
  2. ^ "步步惊心_桐华_言情小说_文化读书频道_新浪网". Vip.book.sina.com.cn. 2011-09-13. Retrieved 2011-09-21.