When JJ Lin Meets "Honor of Kings," Local Tourism Authorities Are in an Uproar

Recently, JJ Lin’s new song “Tomorrow’s Coordinates” has become the undisputed “new favorite” of official cultural and tourism accounts across major platforms.

From Changbai Mountain in the north to Sanya in the south, from Nyingchi in the west to Zibo in the east. Since the official launch of *Tomorrow’s Coordinates* on October 9, major social media platforms have been flooded with posts from official tourism accounts featuring the slogan “Set off with *Tomorrow’s Coordinates*.”

Accompanied by JJ Lin’s warm voice and the footage from these cultural and tourism official accounts, countless people have taken a virtual tour of the magnificent 9.6 million square kilometers of China’s landscape as autumn deepens.

Image source: Xiaohongshu

According to incomplete statistics from Tencent Music, within just ten days, "Tomorrow's Coordinates" appeared as background music in content from over 260 official cultural and tourism accounts. It is safe to say that "Tomorrow's Coordinates" and JJ Lin have become the undisputed "anthem of the cultural and tourism sector" for October.

Image source: Tencent Music Entertainment's official account

In the comments sections of these tourism promotional videos, aside from praise for the beautiful scenery and the catchy music, there’s no shortage of comments like, “This move by Honor of Kings was a total win.”

The reason is simple: before it became the anthem for the "Culture and Tourism Campaign," "Coordinates of Tomorrow" was first and foremost the 10th-anniversary theme song that JJ Lin composed for Tencent's TiMi Studio Group's "Honor of Kings."

Nowadays, as major games strive for long-term success, collaborating with well-known musicians at key operational milestones has become a common strategy. The underlying logic is essentially to leverage the emotional impact of music and the influence of artists’ fan bases to build a multi-dimensional promotional network and amplify the value of the game’s IP.

These songs generally share certain characteristics, such as being geared toward fans of the game. As a result, many of them fall into the trap of feeling like they were written to order, which can easily limit their creativity and lead to a stagnant audience. Consequently, there are relatively few songs that truly become massive hits.

However, "Tomorrow's Coordinates" defied the teahouse's initial assessment. Upon its release, the song quickly topped numerous charts on major domestic music platforms such as QQ Music and Kugou, particularly the new releases charts, where it remains to this day. Given this achievement, it is no exaggeration to call "Tomorrow's Coordinates" a phenomenon-level single in the Chinese music scene this year.

Given the market response it has generated and the spontaneous endorsement from major cultural and tourism authorities, it is clear that *Tomorrow’s Coordinates* has not only gained recognition from its core audience—including *Honor of Kings* players and fans of JJ Lin known as “JM”—but has also reached a significant number of casual users.

How did *Tomorrow's Coordinates* pull it off?

The singer himself is, of course, the biggest contributor to a song’s success. JJ Lin’s rendition of “Tomorrow’s Coordinates” is flawless. As someone with no musical background, I wouldn’t dare to critique JJ Lin’s arrangement or vocal skills, but beyond that, “Tomorrow’s Coordinates” still has aspects worth exploring in depth.

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The key point that cannot be overlooked may well lie in those lyrics, which, while seemingly "vague," are rich in meaning.

"Coordinates of Tomorrow" features lyrics by Yi Jiayang. There’s no need to elaborate on Yi’s songwriting prowess; he penned the lyrics for classics such as Stefanie Sun’s "Encounter" and JJ Lin’s "Cultivating Love."

First and foremost, we must make it clear that, as the theme song created in collaboration with *Honor of Kings*, this song is undoubtedly dedicated to the countless players who have accompanied *Honor of Kings* over the past decade. Its primary purpose is to evoke the deep emotional connection players have with *Honor of Kings*.

What makes Teacher Yi so brilliant is that he manages to see the mountain as a mountain, yet not as a mountain; depending on the listener’s perspective, the interpretation of the lyrics will vary.

As a player of *Honor of Kings*, you’ll notice that almost every line of this song alludes to a specific hero.

Image source: Xiaohongshu

Taken as a whole, the lyrics of *Coordinates of Tomorrow* consistently use the central metaphor of “coordinates” to convey the vitality of life—holding fast to one’s convictions in the face of setbacks, anchoring bonds in solitude, and ultimately bravely striving toward a shared goal.

Many of the images in the lyrics—such as “bridges” and “roads”—all revolve around the central themes of “connection” and “moving forward.”

Together, these two elements form the complete conceptual framework of "Coordinates of Tomorrow"—spanning "from the starting point to the destination" and "from the past to the future"—and reveal the song’s central theme: a "journey through time" that bridges past obsessions with future aspirations.

Meanwhile, imagery such as “light,” “—along with imagery such as “light” and “recovery after shattering,” as well as declarative phrases—collectively convey the resilience inherent in each of us as we journey through this experience, and the bonds forged as we move “from solitude to companionship.” Ultimately, they paint the image of a traveler who, even when the destination is distant and the journey fraught with wounds, relentlessly pursues hope with an unyielding spirit, driven solely by the determination to fulfill their original aspirations and keep their promises.

Through these evocative images, the song takes on a sense of nostalgia, easily reminding long-time *Honor of Kings* players of the years they’ve spent with the game—whether it’s been three, five, or ten years.

In addition to the overt theme of time, *Honor of Kings*—as an MOBA game—places great emphasis on world-building, which has also become one of the underlying themes that resonates with players in *Tomorrow’s Coordinates*.

"Coordinates of Tomorrow" is a song that some players believe was inspired by the stories of certain heroes, such as Haiyue. Through the lyrics, players sense Haiyue's unwavering determination—spanning thousands of years since the beginning of the War of the Gods—to resurrect Di Jun.

For example, in seemingly abstract phrases like “The Temple on the Mountain” and “The Old Man Just Smiles,” many players naturally associate them with heroes such as Lao Fu Zi and Jiang Ziya. These characters are already embodiments of wisdom and composure in the game, and the sense of detachment and serenity in the lyrics aligns perfectly with their personas.

These voices reflect the fact that the "King's Continent" created by *Honor of Kings* is no longer merely a fictional world, but a haven that holds players' emotions and memories; the countless heroes are not just comrades-in-arms who bring excitement and joy to players, but also witnesses who have accompanied *Honor of Kings* players through many important milestones in their lives.

The high-quality content ecosystem of *Honor of Kings* has served as an amplifier for the popularity of *Tomorrow’s Coordinates*; at the same time, *Tomorrow’s Coordinates* acts as a catalyst, igniting the thoughts and aspirations that exist in the hearts of *Honor of Kings* players and setting off a tidal wave of emotion. The two games complement each other perfectly and are indispensable to one another.

Image source: Internet

That is precisely why JJ Lin and Yi Jiayang are able to use the mood and atmosphere of their lyrics and music to awaken memories already embedded in the players’ hearts.

As for the general audience who aren’t players of *Honor of Kings*, they too can sense the profound depth of the lyrics in *Tomorrow’s Coordinates* regarding the passage of time. Through the combination of imagery, *Tomorrow’s Coordinates* blurs explicit meanings, allowing anyone to find a reflection of their own determination to persevere through JJ Lin’s narrative-rich vocals in lines such as “I need medicine to heal my wounds, but I won’t beg for mercy” and “"Don’t waste the youth embroidered on your face," and find a reflection of their own struggle to persevere through real-life hardships.

Some say the lyrics of "Tomorrow's Coordinates" are "nonsensical," but in Teahouse's view, this is precisely a testament to Mr. Yi's mastery of "leaving room for interpretation." It transforms the "emptiness" of the song into a vessel for emotional projection, offering listeners endless room for imagination.

In "Coordinates of Tomorrow," some listeners hear the resilience of a long-distance relationship, while others hear the determination to bounce back after professional setbacks. The sense of "bridging time and space," along with the song’s consistently uplifting message, guides listeners through emotional highs and lows, allowing them to use this song as a "coordinate" to reconnect with hope.

"Coordinates of Tomorrow" features JJ Lin and Yi Jiayang, and through "Honor of Kings," it reminds everyone that the past will eventually fade away, while the future is bound to be bright.

These are the greatest values of *Tomorrow's Coordinates*

Not to mention, the music video for “Coordinates of Tomorrow” uses a unique theatrical stage format to tell the story of how these young people navigate the confusion and struggles of growing up, only to ultimately step through the gateway of hope and march toward tomorrow, supported by their peers. These young people represent each and every one of us, and the music video further brings to life the deeper meaning conveyed by the song itself.

Thus, players who have journeyed alongside *Honor of Kings* for a decade can hear in *Coordinates of Tomorrow* the stirring echoes of countless heroes, recall the “highlight” moments—composed of game after game—that have spanned their ten-year journey, and connect the profound changes they’ve experienced throughout their lives.

JJ Lin’s fans—the vast “JM” community—can also experience his consistently outstanding vocal prowess and the ingenuity of his arrangements in *Tomorrow’s Coordinates*, once again being captivated by the voice of this veteran Mandarin-language singer.

For the general audience, the musical narrative of *Tomorrow’s Coordinates* may well evoke emotions crystallized through time and life experiences, and from it, they may draw the strength to keep moving forward.

In Tea House’s view, good music knows no boundaries, and “Tomorrow’s Coordinates” is precisely such a piece of “boundary-less music.”

This song even led to *Honor of Kings* itself making an unexpected "debut as a singer"—on many players' lists of current favorite artists, the name *Honor of Kings* now appears right alongside JJ Lin. These playful jabs always bring a knowing smile to one's face.

It is precisely these factors that have allowed "Tomorrow's Coordinates" to truly achieve a "1+1>2" synergy between "Honor of Kings" and JJ Lin, transforming it into a song that is no longer just for players.

While paying tribute to *Honor of Kings*’ “Ten Years of Loyal Companionship” and revisiting countless players’ memories of the battlefield, it also continues to inspire everyone striving to make the most of life. Whether or not they are players, everyone can draw strength to move forward from the lyrics.

Perhaps the collaboration between *Honor of Kings* and JJ Lin is meant to help people find their own "coordinates for tomorrow"—both in the game and in real life.

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At this point, we can say that the cultural and tourism sector’s endorsement of *Tomorrow’s Coordinates* is by no means limited to the fact that the game’s imagery—such as “coordinates”—aligns exceptionally well with the theme of cultural and tourism promotion. Rather, these actions reflect the authorities’ deep recognition of the influence of *Honor of Kings*, the game behind *Tomorrow’s Coordinates*, as well as the positive message conveyed by JJ Lin.

"Coordinates of Tomorrow" celebrates every ordinary person who has overcome past hardships and is forging their own path in life. The Teahouse believes that this message is precisely what mainstream propaganda needs.

Even from a practical standpoint, *Coordinates of Tomorrow* has indeed drawn the attention of two massive audiences—*Honor of Kings* players and JJ Lin fans—to the cultural and tourism sector. A significant number of people have said they plan to use the coordinates featured in *Coordinates of Tomorrow* as destinations for their next trips.

In fact, cross-industry collaborations between *Honor of Kings* and the cultural and tourism sectors have long been a common topic of discussion.

As early as 2018, *Honor of Kings* collaborated with the Dunhuang Academy to release the "Encounter with the Flying Apsaras" skin for Yang Yuhuan. Subsequently, the game released skins from the same series for characters such as Yao, Diaochan, and Lü Bu, introducing players to the aesthetics of Dunhuang. These skins also served as the inspiration for many players to embark on a journey to Dunhuang.

In addition, *Honor of Kings* frequently draws inspiration from local history and culture, integrating these elements into its game content. For example, during Suzhou’s Summer Farmers’ Festival, *Honor of Kings* created the “City of Sorrow of Eastern Wu”—a reference to Suzhou, which served as the capital of Eastern Wu after Sun Quan relocated the capital there during the Three Kingdoms period.

Recently, Chengdu—serving as the main stage for the 10th anniversary of *Honor of Kings*—has become a city where the game’s presence is felt everywhere. In late September, the launch ceremony for the *Honor of Kings* 10th Anniversary City Carnival at Jiaozi Avenue Music Square coincided with National Day celebrations.The festive atmosphere of the “Glory Party” spread throughout Chengdu’s landmarks—including Jiaozi Avenue, Chunxi Road, Tianfu Square, Dongjiao Memory, and Kuan-Zhai Alley—transforming into a citywide celebration that lasted throughout the entire month of October.

Suzhou, Chengdu, and Shenzhen—which is set to follow in their footsteps and leave its own "Honor of Kings" mark—throughout 2025, "Honor of Kings" has been steadily expanding from the online to the offline world, blending seamlessly into the urban landscape to connect "Honor of Kings" players across the country in a series of immersive, game-driven "migrations."

Through these highly talked-about scenarios, *Honor of Kings* has consistently created shareable social events at offline activities, directly helping the host cities gain widespread attention. Looking back at the development of these *Honor of Kings* and cultural tourism collaborations, we can generally conclude that previous partnerships between *Honor of Kings* and the cultural tourism sector were mostly carried out through a capital-intensive model that involved transforming the IP into physical experiences.

The launch of *Coordinates of Tomorrow* has opened up a whole new model of collaboration for *Honor of Kings*—the "ambassador" of cultural tourism—beyond its existing efforts in creating real-world experiences and driving online traffic to offline venues.

This approach is more ethereal and dynamic; it does not rely on physical sets or custom skins, but instead uses the song itself as a vehicle for emotion. Through its widespread popularity and ability to evoke empathy, it allows any city or landscape to become a player’s “destination for tomorrow” by drawing on the song’s atmosphere.

Teahouse believes this may signal that *Honor of Kings*’ approach to cultural and tourism partnerships has truly evolved from “creating a single destination” to “empowering countless destinations.”

Honestly, when it comes to the cultural and tourism sector, why not add fuel to the fire of this ever-growing “check-in craze”?

Image source: Xi'an Culture and Tourism

Finally, it must be said that the success of *Tomorrow’s Coordinates* is ultimately the result of a collaborative effort by all parties involved.

For example, JJ Lin’s evocative vocals are key to the lyrics resonating deeply with listeners; equally important is the strong support provided by the *Honor of Kings* team in terms of overall planning and production. These efforts ensured the song’s successful journey from concept to completion.

The launch of *Coordinates of Tomorrow* is not only a prime example of cross-industry collaboration; at its core, it also serves as a testament to the steady, long-term progress *Honor of Kings* has made in diversifying its IP.

From quite early on, *Honor of Kings* began laying the groundwork for expanding its IP beyond esports. From collaborations with intangible cultural heritage projects and the virtual idol group “Infinite Kings,” to film and television adaptations, *Honor of Kings* has adopted a wide variety of approaches.

Music, of course, has always been a key component of this. As Tea House recalls, *Honor of Kings* has collaborated with a string of talented singers, including G.E.M. and Zhou Shen. These collaborations have given rise to many beloved hits, such as the 2021 World Championship theme song “Unrivaled Champion” and the 2024 KPL Grand Finals theme song “See Me.”

These songs have also gained considerable popularity and are frequently performed at the artists' concerts.

Thus, *Coordinates of Tomorrow* once again demonstrates *Honor of Kings*’ ongoing commitment to the music industry. Whether it’s *Unrivaled King* or *See Me*, numerous theme songs performed by talented singers have become an auditory bridge connecting the game to the general public. These efforts collectively form a music content ecosystem that transcends the boundaries of gaming, infusing the *Honor of Kings* IP with a sustained emotional energy that enhances its long-term value.

Building on the solid foundation laid by these great songs, *Coordinates of Tomorrow* has achieved its full potential in celebration of its 10th anniversary.

Beyond the songs, *Honor of Kings* itself plays a crucial role in further amplifying the viral effect.

To mark its 10th anniversary, *Honor of Kings* has designated the song as the central theme of its anniversary campaign, not only setting it as the game’s login music but also launching exclusive events, such as a Jay Chou voice pack.

At the same time, through his official social media accounts, he shared behind-the-scenes footage that confirmed his status as a seasoned *Honor of Kings* player and revealed the story behind the song’s creation. This is why we now understand exactly why JJ Lin is able to resonate so deeply with gamers.

From a content production perspective, *Tomorrow's Coordinates* symbolizes the mutual success achieved through the creative aspirations of top musicians in the Chinese music industry and Tencent's capabilities in content industrialization.

It is precisely this "powerful collaboration" on the production side that has enabled *Tomorrow's Coordinates* to transcend the functional limitations and niche audience typically associated with a "game theme song," ultimately becoming a universally appealing musical work.

Conclusion

Shortly after the release of "Tomorrow's Coordinates," Yi Jiayang posted the following on Weibo: "The 0th second we've been waiting for—tomorrow begins here." It was only then that the tea house realized the clue of "10" had been woven throughout the song all along.

In just two days—on October 25—the "Honor of Kings" 10th Anniversary Co-Creation Night and Carnival will officially kick off.

As we mark our 10th anniversary, Teahouse feels more strongly than ever that the song "Tomorrow's Coordinates" is not only a reflection on the past decade of *Honor of Kings*, but also an invitation from the creative team to players to move forward into the future.

Just as the lyrics of "Coordinates of Tomorrow" go, "When I see the coordinates of tomorrow right here," this song has become an emotional landmark etched in the memories of countless *Honor of Kings* players. It serves as a reminder to every "farmer": the passion of youth that once surged through the Rift and the years spent shoulder to shoulder will ultimately endure in different forms, and the story of the next decade will begin a new chapter from here.

If we were to categorize it, the success of *Tomorrow's Coordinates* is, at its core, a triumph of emotion. *Honor of Kings* and JJ Lin have brought to life the memories of players spanning a decade, making them something we can hear and feel.

For *Honor of Kings*, this song means far more than just a “theme song”; it serves as proof that when a game achieves enduring popularity, it gradually evolves from an entertainment product into a vessel for users’ emotions, ultimately transforming into a “cultural icon.”

Throughout this transformative process, the social value and public role of games themselves will also evolve. This is because long-lasting games often accompany players through significant periods of their lives, even bearing witness to the growth of an entire generation. The companionship these games provide may well become an emotional anchor for players, and the values they convey will leave an indelible mark on people’s hearts.

Meanwhile, *Honor of Kings* is becoming—or has already become—one of the leading examples of this genre.