Chinese Singer Dao Lang, also known as Luo Lin, who rose to fame again with the song “Rakshasa Sea City” from his latest album “Mountain Songs Loneliness,” held a tour concert in Jinan on February 14th and 15th, 2025.
He made a special trip to the former residence of Pu Songling before the concert to invite descendants of Pu Songling to listen to him singing “Rakshasa Sea City,” inspired by Pu Songling’s “Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio.”
In 2023, Dao Lang returned to the music scene with his album “Mountain Songs Loneliness,” featuring the hit single “Rakshasa Sea City,” which garnered over 8 billion views on short video platforms, becoming a sensational hit of the year. The inspiration for Dao Lang’s song “Rakshasa Sea City” came from “Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio.”
According to reports from mainland media, Dao Lang’s concert tour “Where the Mountain Songs Resound” took place in Jinan on February 14th and 15th. Prior to the concert on February 9th, Dao Lang visited Pu Songling’s former residence in Zibo and had an in-depth discussion with Pu Zhangjun, the eleventh-generation descendant of Pu Songling and a representative inheritor of the “Liaozhai Rhymes.” Pu Zhangjun gifted Dao Lang the eleventh copy of the Kangxi manuscript of “Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio,” which Dao Lang signed as a memento.
Pu Zhangjun, speaking to “New Yellow River” reporter, mentioned that the specifics of their conversation could not be disclosed. However, he expressed gratitude to Dao Lang face to face, stating that he “really likes” Dao Lang’s work and “will definitely attend the concert.”
Dao Lang’s visit to Pu Songling’s former residence was kept highly confidential, with no prior notification to any organizations or institutions, contacting only Pu Songling’s descendants beforehand. Pu Zhangjun shared on his personal social media account that due to the private nature of the gathering, no videos or photos were released. Reflecting on the reunion, Pu Zhangjun exclaimed, “It’s definitely worth commemorating.”
In recent leaked videos, Dao Lang mentioned during his Jinan concert, “The album ‘Mountain Songs Loneliness’ has a close relationship with ‘Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio,’ and I thank Pu Songling. Without him, my mountain songs couldn’t resonate.” Dao Lang also mentioned that he had visited Pu Songling’s former residence a few days ago and had invited Pu Zhangjun, the eleventh-generation descendant of Pu Songling, to the event.
Dao Lang, a grassroots artist, gained widespread popularity in the past with his original song “The First Snow of 2002,” but later retreated quietly after facing exclusion from famous singers while still on the rise.
After a decade of silence, Dao Lang made a comeback in July 2023 with the new album “Mountain Songs Loneliness,” gaining renewed fame with the song “Rakshasa Sea City.” The song is widely interpreted by fans as a reflection on the past and a critique of the present, subtly criticizing the distorted modern world where beauty is seen as ugly and ethical lines are blurred, resonating significantly with fans and sparking immense public interest. In just 10 days, “Rakshasa Sea City” surpassed 8 billion views globally online.
Simultaneously, various versions and adaptations of “Rakshasa Sea City” emerged, including Henan Opera, Shandong Bangzi Opera, Peking Opera, Sichuan Opera, Shanxi Opera, Yunnan Opera, Huangmei Opera, as well as versions with ancient musical instruments like the guqin, pipa, and suona, creating a spectacular phenomenon in music history. Netizens commented, stating, “Dao Lang achieved a comeback from a ‘funky singer’ to a middle-aged idol.”
Responsibility Editor: Yang Ming