Huo Yuanjia (2008 TV Series)

''Huo Yuanjia'' is a 2008 Chinese television series based on the life of the Chinese martial artist Huo Yuanjia. It includes a subplot about Chen Zhen, a fictional apprentice of Huo Yuanjia and the protagonist of the 1972 film ''Fist of Fury''. The series was directed by Kuk Kwok-leung and starred Ekin Cheng, Jordan Chan, Zhou Muyin, Bryan Leung, Ding Li and Qu Yue in the lead roles. It was first released in 2008 and was later broadcast on various television channels in other countries in the following year. The sequel, '' Legend of the Fist: Chen Zhen'', was released in late 2008.

Plot

Huo Yuanjia was born in Jinghai County, Tianjin, in a family of martial artists. As he was asthmatic in his childhood, his father Huo Endi strongly discourages him from practising martial arts. However, he remains undaunted and secretly learns martial arts from "Great Sword" Wang Wu, a swordsman who once saved him from drowning.

Huo Endi and his junior, Zhao Shengxian, were trained in martial arts by the same master, but they became rivals after their master's death. Despite the animosity between their fathers, Huo Yuanjia forges a close friendship with Zhao Shengxian's daughter, Zhao Qiannan. One day, Huo Endi and Zhao Shengxian's senior, Cheng Tianxiao, shows up and challenges them to a fight. Huo Yuanjia surprises everyone by displaying his prowess in martial arts for the first time when he blocks Cheng Tianxiao from striking his father. He defeats Cheng Tianxiao in a match later; Cheng Tianxiao dies after feeling humiliated by his defeat.

Cheng Tianxiao's apprentice, Chen Zhen, sees Huo Yuanjia as a sworn enemy and vows to avenge his master. However, Huo accepts Chen Zhen as his apprentice in the hope of resolving their feud. Chen Zhen initially harbours a grudge against Huo Yuanjia and seeks to kill him, but ultimately dismisses the idea as he becomes more impressed with Huo Yuanjia's sense of righteousness.

One day, Zhao Qiannan's cousin, Long Haisheng, comes to Jinghai on a business trip. It turns out that he is planning to start an opium industry in Jinghai and dominate the local market. However, Huo Yuanjia foils his plan and destroys the opium in public. Long Haisheng later takes revenge against Huo Yuanjia by framing him for murder, leaving Huo Yuanjia with no choice but to escape from Jinghai.

Huo Yuanjia travels to Tianjin with Chen Zhen and Liu Zhensheng, where he gradually becomes involved in the affairs of the martial artists' community in Tianjin. He makes his name by defeating an aggressive Japanese fighter in a match and emerges victorious in subsequent matches against foreign challengers. Huo Yuanjia then moves to Shanghai, where he founds the Jingwu School to train martial artists to defend and uphold Chinese sovereignty. Unknown to Huo Yuanjia, a Japanese spy known as Wang Xiwen sees him as a threat and secretly plots his downfall. In the meantime, Chen Zhen starts a romantic relationship with Wang Xiwen's subordinate, Wang Xiuzhi, without knowing that her true identity.

After joining an international martial arts tournament held in Shanghai, Huo Yuanjia defeats all his opponents until he meets Itō, a brutish Japanese karateka. During the match, he suddenly feels weak because he has been secretly poisoned by one of Wang Xiwen's agents. However, he manages to hold his ground and ultimately defeats Itō shortly before he dies from poisoning.

Chen Zhen continues Huo Yuanjia's legacy by keeping the Jingwu spirit alive. He also seeks to bring his master's murderers to justice. The final scenes in the last episode are reminiscent of the 1972 film ''Fist of Fury'', where Chen Zhen charges into the dojo and takes down every opponent he meets before killing Wang Xiwen. The final scene shows Chen Zhen charging with a flying kick towards a line of armed soldiers firing at him.

Cast

* Ekin Cheng as Huo Yuanjia, the founder of Jingwu School.
* Jordan Chan as Chen Zhen, Huo Yuanjia's apprentice.
* Zhou Muyin as Zhao Qiannan, Zhao Shengxian's daughter and Huo Yuanjia's love interest.
* Bryan Leung as Huo Endi, Huo Yuanjia's father.
* Xiu Qing as Long Haisheng, Zhao Qiannan's cousin and the primary antagonist in the series.
* Ding Li as Wang Yun, Huo Yuanjia's wife.
* Qu Yue as Wang Xiuzhi / Hideko, Wang Xiwen's subordinate and Chen Zhen's love interest.
* Hou Yu as Liu Zhensheng, Huo Yuanjia's friend who later becomes his apprentice.
* Zhang Songwen as Nong Jinsun, a Tongmenghui member who co-founds Jingwu School with Huo Yuanjia.
* Lau Kar-wing as Zhao Shengxian, Huo Endi's junior who became his rival.
* Yuen Shun-yee as Cheng Tianxiao, Huo Endi and Zhao Shengxian's senior and Chen Zhen's first master.
* Ben Ng as "Great Sword" Wang Wu, a swordsman who first taught Huo Yuanjia martial arts.
* Ge Lei as Huo Yuanjia's mother
* Simon Chui as Huo Huaishan, Huo Yuanjia's uncle.
* Marco Li as Huo Yuanwu, Huo Yuanjia's brother.
* Chen Kai as Huo Yuanying, Huo Yuanjia's brother.
* Liu Weihua as Wang Xiwen / Mitsui, a Japanese spy.
* He Jinling as Itō, Miyamoto's junior and Huo Yuanjia's final opponent.
* Yan Hongzhi as Miyamoto, a Japanese martial artist defeated by Huo Yuanjia in Tianjin.
* Ye Yong as Zhao Zhennan, Zhao Shengxian's son.
* Zhang Dalei as Zhao Zhenbei, Zhao Shengxian's son.
* Li Zhenqi as Liu Yao, the boss of an armed escort agency and a close friend of Huo Endi and Zhao Shengxian.
* Li Qingxiang as Long Shaoji, Long Haisheng's father and a diplomat.
* Wang Feihong as Lu Da'an, Huo Yuanjia's apprentice.
* Wang Xi as Xiaomei, Zhao Qiannan's servant.

External links

*
''Huo Yuanjia''
on Sina.com
*
''Huo Yuanjia'' official page
on ATV's website

{{DEFAULTSORT:Huo Yuanjia (2008 TV series)
Martial arts television series
2007 Chinese television series debuts
Television series set in the Qing dynasty
Mandarin-language television shows
Chinese action television series