The Taihang Wuzhishan scenic area, located in China’s Hebei province, is on the lookout for someone to dress up as the legendary Monkey King, also known as Sun Wukong.
The role involves donning a costume, hiding in a cave, and enjoying being fed by tourists. The attraction holds significance in Chinese mythology, being one of the sites where the gods subdued the Monkey King, pressing him under a giant mountain.
Job Recruitment Details
The recruitment ad, which has gained viral attention, promises a monthly salary of RMB6,000 (S$1,140.54). Surprisingly, candidates don’t need any academic qualifications, but they must possess specific qualities to qualify for the unique position.
To excel in this role, candidates must have a fondness for the Monkey King character, a certain level of acting talent, and a lively and cheerful demeanor to interact with tourists. Academic qualifications take a backseat to the essential qualities needed for this unconventional job.
Salary Adjustments and Performer Interaction
The scenic area emphasizes the importance of performer-tourist interactions. Salaries may be adjusted based on how well actors engage with visitors, turning the job into a delightful experience for both the performers and tourists.
While the job comes with its quirks, such as staying stuck in a cave for the entire shift, actors work for shorter durations – 2.5 to 3 hours – due to the nature of the role.
Concerns about actors getting stuck due to overeating are addressed by the manager, who assures that the cave is spacious enough to prevent such incidents.
Actor’s Perspective
Jin Xing Hou Ge, one of the Monkey King actors, shares his love for the role in videos. Having idolized the Monkey King as a legendary hero since his youth, he sees this opportunity as a way to spread awareness of traditional Chinese culture, especially among the younger generation.