@article{ART003341643},
author={JUNG SEONG A},
title={The Life Narrative of Leslie Cheung and the Construction of Popular Memory ─ Focusing on the Narrative Models of Propp and Greimas},
journal={The Journal of Study on Language and Culture of Korea and China},
issn={1738-0502},
year={2026},
number={80},
pages={449-471},
doi={10.16874/jslckc.2026..80.016}
TY - JOUR
AU - JUNG SEONG A
TI - The Life Narrative of Leslie Cheung and the Construction of Popular Memory ─ Focusing on the Narrative Models of Propp and Greimas
JO - The Journal of Study on Language and Culture of Korea and China
PY - 2026
VL - null
IS - 80
PB - Korean Society of Study on Chinese Languge and Culture
SP - 449
EP - 471
SN - 1738-0502
AB - This study analyzes the life narrative of Leslie Cheung(張國榮, 1956–2003), an iconic figure of Asian popular culture, through the narrative models of Vladimir Propp and Algirdas J. Greimas. By reconstructing key episodes from Cheung's life and applying Propp's 31-function model alongside Greimas's six-actant model, this research examines the universal narrative structure embedded in his life story and explores how this structure has sustained transnational and transgenerational reception and memory of Cheung more than two decades after his death. The analysis reveals that Cheung's life narrative follows the archetypal trajectory of lack, ordeal, and overcoming, while the absence of the final marriage function (Function 31) produces an open-ended narrative that continually invites popular reinterpretation. The central theme identified through the actantial model is freedom — specifically, the desire for self-actualization suppressed since childhood. This study argues that the open structure of Cheung's life narrative, mediated through his film roles, enables ongoing reconstruction of cultural memory across different audiences and contexts. The findings contribute to star studies, narrative theory, and the understanding of transnational popular culture flows in East Asia.
KW - Leslie Cheung;life narrative;narrative analysis;Propp;Greimas;popular memory;transnational stardom;Hong Kong popular culture;Cantopop;cultural memory
DO - 10.16874/jslckc.2026..80.016
ER -
JUNG SEONG A. (2026). The Life Narrative of Leslie Cheung and the Construction of Popular Memory ─ Focusing on the Narrative Models of Propp and Greimas. The Journal of Study on Language and Culture of Korea and China, 80, 449-471.
JUNG SEONG A. 2026, "The Life Narrative of Leslie Cheung and the Construction of Popular Memory ─ Focusing on the Narrative Models of Propp and Greimas", The Journal of Study on Language and Culture of Korea and China, no.80, pp.449-471. Available from: doi:10.16874/jslckc.2026..80.016
JUNG SEONG A "The Life Narrative of Leslie Cheung and the Construction of Popular Memory ─ Focusing on the Narrative Models of Propp and Greimas" The Journal of Study on Language and Culture of Korea and China 80 pp.449-471 (2026) : 449.
JUNG SEONG A. The Life Narrative of Leslie Cheung and the Construction of Popular Memory ─ Focusing on the Narrative Models of Propp and Greimas. 2026; 80 : 449-471. Available from: doi:10.16874/jslckc.2026..80.016
JUNG SEONG A. "The Life Narrative of Leslie Cheung and the Construction of Popular Memory ─ Focusing on the Narrative Models of Propp and Greimas" The Journal of Study on Language and Culture of Korea and China no.80(2026) : 449-471.doi: 10.16874/jslckc.2026..80.016
JUNG SEONG A. The Life Narrative of Leslie Cheung and the Construction of Popular Memory ─ Focusing on the Narrative Models of Propp and Greimas. The Journal of Study on Language and Culture of Korea and China, 80, 449-471. doi: 10.16874/jslckc.2026..80.016
JUNG SEONG A. The Life Narrative of Leslie Cheung and the Construction of Popular Memory ─ Focusing on the Narrative Models of Propp and Greimas. The Journal of Study on Language and Culture of Korea and China. 2026; 80 449-471. doi: 10.16874/jslckc.2026..80.016
JUNG SEONG A. The Life Narrative of Leslie Cheung and the Construction of Popular Memory ─ Focusing on the Narrative Models of Propp and Greimas. 2026; 80 : 449-471. Available from: doi:10.16874/jslckc.2026..80.016
JUNG SEONG A. "The Life Narrative of Leslie Cheung and the Construction of Popular Memory ─ Focusing on the Narrative Models of Propp and Greimas" The Journal of Study on Language and Culture of Korea and China no.80(2026) : 449-471.doi: 10.16874/jslckc.2026..80.016
