During a high-stakes mission in ancient China, Akini Jing, dressed in Wuxia warrior garb, infiltrates the compound of an enemy organisation by gracefully flying over rooftops. Then, upon reaching the ground, she proceeds to quickly slice through a group of armed guards with a sword.

All of this action unfolds to the sound of the Chinese singer-songwriter and music producer's pulsating electronic-influenced track, 'Call Me Shadow'.

An anachronistic song choice for a story set in the fictional Wuxia realm of Jianghu, the song's pairing with its music video — a love letter to Chinese martial arts — is a microcosm of what the Yunnan-born artist does under her cyborg "Akini Jing" persona.

"Under this Akini Jing artist project, I focus more on the theme of 'Eastern Cyberpunk'. Whether in terms of music or aesthetics, there's a futuristic texture to the sound, and aesthetically, it connects with Eastern elements," the 35-year-old, who previously went by Zhu Jinxi, told Bandwagon.

Jing, who is of Dai ethnicity, added: "However, since adopting the name Akini Jing, previous works are also categorized under DSP (digital streaming platform) displays, but the true Akini works are from 2018, and those after 2019."

Partnering with Asian American music company 88rising, she kicked off her 2024 with the launch of her studio album VILLAIN, a nine-track project that sees her present a modern take on Wuxia's philosophical themes using a sonic palette with techno, two-step, deconstructed club, and even traditional Chinese influences.  

Complementing the album are short films — the aforementioned music video for 'Call Me Shadow' being one of them — that combine to tell a gripping original Wuxia tale created by Jing and told with the help of artists and individuals who share her love for the genre. 

Following the release of VILLAIN, Jing spoke to Bandwagon about bringing her own Wuxia story to life, combining Chinese martial arts and electronic music, and trusting herself and her music. 

You draw inspiration from your home of Yunnan and Chinese culture in your songs, videos, and even costume design. Was it always your goal to shine a spotlight on your roots, or was this something that just came naturally?

Both. During the creative process, I set aesthetic goals and gather inspiration from various sources. In this process, many ideas naturally come together.

You have spoken about your love of Wuxia, which you draw inspiration from in your music. When did you first become fascinated with the genre? What were some films/pieces of work that left an impression on you?

Being part of a generation that grew up watching Wuxia TV dramas and films, I became enchanted with the genre during my childhood, especially with The Condor Heroes 95 (神雕侠侣). The character Xiaolongnü, which means Dragon Lady, left a deep impression. As I grew older, 90s Hong Kong Wuxia films like Sword Man 2 and works by directors like King Hu. In addition, works like Hou Hsiao-hsien's The Assassin, Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Wong Kar-wai's Ashes of Time, and The Grandmaster have also inspired me. Furthermore, there's another relatively B-movie, Burning Paradise, that has left a deep impression on me. There are just too many.

Wuxia and electronic music are things that are not usually mentioned in the same sentence given how different they are. How did you come up with the idea of bringing them together in your latest album, VILLAIN? 

This is a continuation of my Eastern Cyberpunk project. Wuxia narratives and culture are very Chinese, but also very personal, while electronic music is a strong part of my musical DNA. Although they rarely come together, when my inspiration touches both, a connection is established.

 Wuxia narratives and culture are very Chinese, but also very personal, while electronic music is a strong part of my musical DNA. 

Besides writing and recording songs for the album, you also came up with a cinematic short story that unfolds in music videos for tracks like ‘Black Widow’ and ‘Call Me Shadow’. As a fan of Wuxia, what was the experience of constructing — and starring in — your own Wuxia film like? 

When I initially had the idea to create a Wuxia album, I was excited, but delving deeply into Wuxia aesthetics and culture led to challenges due to the vastness of the theme. I didn't know how to express it in just one album. Eventually, I decided to take the most personal way, using my own interpretation and imagination to create my version of a Wuxia story.

In this process, I felt a fusion and growth, both mentally and physically, as I became one with the character. Participating in the music video/ short film was a challenging experience. I sought out a Shaolin martial arts master and engaged in intensive training, especially in swordplay. I continue practicing even now. It's a challenging yet enjoyable process.

In this process, I felt a fusion and growth, both mentally and physically, as I became one with the character.

The music videos' director, Joseph Le, and stunt coordinator, Andy Cheng, are no strangers to working on martial arts films. Tell us how they helped you to realise the vision you had for VILLAIN. 

Our music video director, Joseph Le, is highly experienced, having contributed to action design in films like Everything Everywhere All at Once. Our stunt coordinator, Andy Cheng, is a legend, known for works like Rush Hour and Looper. I feel fortunate to collaborate with them for the first time in shooting action scenes.

Before filming, my executive producer and I spent a month discussing my ideas and story with Joseph Le, sharing inspiring films, and inviting him to see my live performances. After gaining a better understanding, he professionally helped me bring my ideas to life, infusing his own touch. Andy Cheng is incredibly professional. In a short time, he efficiently guided me on the most visually appealing actions and brought in his team of other stunts to assist. Also, I practiced a lot before filming.

Most martial arts stories teach us values and leave us with philosophical questions to ponder on. What are some takeaways that you hope people will have after listening to your album VILLAIN? 

Whether it's a hero or a villain, perhaps it's just a matter of perspective. When you realize that heroes and villains may just be characters, we might be closer to freedom. I hope that when facing this complex world, we can each find our own path and ultimately become warriors with the ability to love.

I hope that when facing this complex world, we can each find our own path and ultimately become warriors with the ability to love.

Over the last few years, you’ve had opportunities to take your music to festivals such as Head In The Clouds LA and Head In The Clouds Manila. How do you hope to build on those experiences moving forward?

As a performer, my focus is on how to express myself in a sincere and creative way and what I can offer to the world. Interestingly, I trust myself, and I trust the music because it always takes me to unexpected and wonderful places, where I meet delightful people. I'll continue to follow it.

Stream VILLAIN here: