The Evolution of Chinese 007- “JINYIWEI”: From Authoritarian Sector to Charismatic Secret Agent

Abstract

The Jinyiwei, a historically significant governmental institution, holds considerable prominence as a symbol within contemporary Chinese popular culture. This study utilizes the theory of markedness to explicate the evolutionary trajectory of the Jinyiwei symbol-recognized as emblematic of Chinese secret agents. The societal perception of the Jinyiwei has undergone a substantial transformation, influenced by the rapid proliferation of Chinese movies and games. Formerly characterized by “The Marked”, the image of the Jinyiwei has progressively shifted towards to “The Unmarked”.

The public's perception of the Chinese secret agent emblem has experienced a noteworthy transformation, transitioning from the negative portrayal as "hounds and butchers" to a more positive and alluring depiction as "royal agents." The rise of this phenomenon serves as a conspicuous illustration of the heteronomous inversion of conventional Chinese symbols within the contemporary digital media landscape.