In the 1980s, when televisions were still rare in China, entire neighborhoods would gather around a single 14-inch screen in a public square just to watch Huangmei Opera series.

In this episode of Opera Trails, Huangmei Opera artist Han Zaifen reflects on how the genre has evolved across different media eras – from classic cinema and early television broadcasts to today's smartphone-driven landscape.

Han notes that Huangmei Opera retains a relatable, down-to-earth quality: "It doesn't stand on a high pedestal; it feels like a close friend having a heart-to-heart talk with you." For her, whether performing at home or abroad, true artistic appeal ultimately rests on a simple principle: Culture must connect genuinely with human nature.

Supervisor: Zhang Jingwen

Producer: Yang Sha

Directors: Zhang Yuying, Zhong Xia

Video Editors: Zhong Xia, Zhang Yuying

Copy Editors: John Goodrich, Wang Mingyan, Zhang Yuying

Videographers: Wang Hongjie, Han Xu

Cover Image Designers: Liu Shaozhen, Huang Ruiqi