"Dancing Yunnan": A Study of Sensory Communication and Local Identity - Using Bilibili's "Geometric Record" Yunnan City Image MV as a Case Study
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"Dancing Yunnan": A Study of Sensory Communication and Local Identity - Using Bilibili's "Geometric Record" Yunnan City Image MV as a Case Study

Yu Lu 1*
1 Jinan University
*Corresponding author: loveiannforever@qq.com
Published on 4 December 2025
Volume Cover
CHR Vol.100
ISSN (Print): 2753-7072
ISSN (Online): 2753-7064
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-577-6
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-578-3
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Abstract

In a communication environment increasingly dominated by digital media, sensory communication has emerged as a crucial pathway for shaping local images and stimulating collective identity. The digital dissemination of local culture urgently requires both appeal and locality. Taking the Yunnan city image MV produced by Bilibili's "Geometric Record" account as a case study, this paper explores how intense audiovisual language and local cultural symbols construct a vivid image of Yunnan, local festival elements, and platform interaction logic, thereby promoting the construction and extension of local identity. Research reveals that this series of MV works not only creates intense sensory stimulation through rapid editing, ethnic-language songs, and spectacular color schemes, but also leverages bullet-screen interactions to generate pathways for local identity. This approach evokes cultural belonging among local audiences and emotional resonance among distant viewers. Simultaneously, this paper reflects on the risk of cultural flattening that may arise when dominated by "viral songs" tendencies and "pleasure logic." This paper argues that ethnic-style MV works, as a new form of digital ethnography, demonstrate the potential for reconstructing local culture within digital media. They also remind us of the imperative to safeguard the spiritual warmth and local depth of culture.

Keywords:

Yunnan culture, sensory communication, local identity, music video, geometric recording

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Lu,Y. (2025). "Dancing Yunnan": A Study of Sensory Communication and Local Identity - Using Bilibili's "Geometric Record" Yunnan City Image MV as a Case Study. Communications in Humanities Research,100,55-64.

References

[1]. Fan, Z., & Chen, A. (2023). Research on the current status and innovative development of music videos for city image promotion in Liaoning region. Southeast Communication, (08), 132–134.

[2]. McLuhan, M. (2006). The medium is the massage (H. Daokuan, Trans.). China Machine Press. (Original work published 1967)

[3]. Wang, T. (2004). Preliminary research on "sensationalism" in television news programs. Journal of Journalism Studies, (81), 1–41.

[4]. Liang, Y., & Liu, H. (2013). Five characteristics of future media: An analysis of the thought of media environment giants McLuhan, Mumford, and Levinson. Southeast Communication, (06), 1–6.

[5]. Proshansky, H. M., Fabian, A. K., & Kaminoff, R. (1983). Place-identity: Physical world socialization of the self. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 3(1), 57–83.

[6]. Bernardo, F., & Palma, J. M. (2005). Place change and identity processes. Medio Ambiente y Comportamiento Humano, 6(1), 71–87.

[7]. Dai, X., & Liu, A. (2019). Research progress on the connotative dimensions and influencing factors of place identity. Advances in Geography, 38(5), 662–674.

[8]. Tang, W., Zhang, J., Luo, H., et al. (2007). Analysis of place sense characteristics among tourists at Jiuzhaigou scenic area. Acta Geographica Sinica, (06), 599–608.

[9]. Zhu, H., Qian, J., & Lü, X. (2012). Research on local perception and identity formation against the background of urban spatial transformation: The case of Xiaozhou Village, Guangzhou. Geographical Science, 32(1), 18–24.

[10]. Li, L., & Yang, Y. (2023). Yunnan's practices in strengthening the sense of community for the Chinese nation in the new media context. Journal of Yunnan Minzu University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 40(06), 46–54.

[11]. Wen, F. (2014). The practical value of ethnic languages in vocal music education for ethnic minorities. Mass Literature and Art, (18), 239–240.

[12]. Liu, Y., & Yu, G. (2022). Analyzing the "viral video" model: A study on the mechanisms of communication appeal—Potential pathways for enhancing user attention from the perspective of cognitive load theory. Journalism and Writing, (02), 48–56.

[13]. Collins, R. (2021). The chain of interactions (L. Jurin, W. Peng, & S. Lijun, Trans.). Commercial Press.

[14]. Li, Y., & Cheng, Q. (2020). Spatial production and rhetoric in rural-themed television variety shows. Television Research, (01), 41–44.

[15]. Shifman, L. (2016). Mimesis (Y. Weishen, W. Xu, & W. Yiran, Trans.). Chongqing University Press. (Original work published in English)

[16]. Relph, E. (1976). Place and placelessness. London: Pion Limited.

References

[1]. Fan, Z., & Chen, A. (2023). Research on the current status and innovative development of music videos for city image promotion in Liaoning region. Southeast Communication, (08), 132–134.

[2]. McLuhan, M. (2006). The medium is the massage (H. Daokuan, Trans.). China Machine Press. (Original work published 1967)

[3]. Wang, T. (2004). Preliminary research on "sensationalism" in television news programs. Journal of Journalism Studies, (81), 1–41.

[4]. Liang, Y., & Liu, H. (2013). Five characteristics of future media: An analysis of the thought of media environment giants McLuhan, Mumford, and Levinson. Southeast Communication, (06), 1–6.

[5]. Proshansky, H. M., Fabian, A. K., & Kaminoff, R. (1983). Place-identity: Physical world socialization of the self. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 3(1), 57–83.

[6]. Bernardo, F., & Palma, J. M. (2005). Place change and identity processes. Medio Ambiente y Comportamiento Humano, 6(1), 71–87.

[7]. Dai, X., & Liu, A. (2019). Research progress on the connotative dimensions and influencing factors of place identity. Advances in Geography, 38(5), 662–674.

[8]. Tang, W., Zhang, J., Luo, H., et al. (2007). Analysis of place sense characteristics among tourists at Jiuzhaigou scenic area. Acta Geographica Sinica, (06), 599–608.

[9]. Zhu, H., Qian, J., & Lü, X. (2012). Research on local perception and identity formation against the background of urban spatial transformation: The case of Xiaozhou Village, Guangzhou. Geographical Science, 32(1), 18–24.

[10]. Li, L., & Yang, Y. (2023). Yunnan's practices in strengthening the sense of community for the Chinese nation in the new media context. Journal of Yunnan Minzu University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 40(06), 46–54.

[11]. Wen, F. (2014). The practical value of ethnic languages in vocal music education for ethnic minorities. Mass Literature and Art, (18), 239–240.

[12]. Liu, Y., & Yu, G. (2022). Analyzing the "viral video" model: A study on the mechanisms of communication appeal—Potential pathways for enhancing user attention from the perspective of cognitive load theory. Journalism and Writing, (02), 48–56.

[13]. Collins, R. (2021). The chain of interactions (L. Jurin, W. Peng, & S. Lijun, Trans.). Commercial Press.

[14]. Li, Y., & Cheng, Q. (2020). Spatial production and rhetoric in rural-themed television variety shows. Television Research, (01), 41–44.

[15]. Shifman, L. (2016). Mimesis (Y. Weishen, W. Xu, & W. Yiran, Trans.). Chongqing University Press. (Original work published in English)

[16]. Relph, E. (1976). Place and placelessness. London: Pion Limited.

Cite this article

Lu,Y. (2025). "Dancing Yunnan": A Study of Sensory Communication and Local Identity - Using Bilibili's "Geometric Record" Yunnan City Image MV as a Case Study. Communications in Humanities Research,100,55-64.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceeding of ICIHCS 2025 Symposium: The Dialogue Between Tradition and Innovation in Language Learning

ISBN: 978-1-80590-577-6(Print) / 978-1-80590-578-3(Online)
Editor: Enrique Mallen, Heidi Gregory-Mina
Conference website: https://2025.icihcs.org/
Conference date: 26 November 2025
Series: Communications in Humanities Research
Volume number: Vol.100
ISSN: 2753-7064(Print) / 2753-7072(Online)

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