Kung Fu

Premise: The series “Kung Fu” is a modern reimagining of the classic 1970s show of the same name. It follows Nicky Shen, a young Chinese American woman who drops out of college and goes on a life-changing journey to an isolated monastery in China. After returning to her hometown of San Francisco, she finds that it’s overrun with crime and corruption. Using her martial arts skills and the values she’s learned, Nicky takes on the responsibility of protecting her community while searching for the assassin who killed her Shaolin mentor and is now targeting her.

Main Characters:

1. Nicky Shen (Olivia Liang) – A brave and compassionate martial artist, Nicky is the show’s heroine.
2. Henry Yan (Eddie Liu) – A martial arts expert and Chinese art history buff, he aids Nicky on her quest.
3. Jin Shen (Tzi Ma) – Nicky’s father, who runs a restaurant in San Francisco.
4. Mei-Li Shen (Kheng Hua Tan) – Nicky’s mother, who is protective and holds traditional values.
5. Althea Shen (Shannon Dang) – Nicky’s tech-savvy older sister.
6. Ryan Shen (Jon Prasida) – Nicky’s pre-med brother who struggles with his family’s expectations.

Themes: “Kung Fu” intertwines the action genre with family drama and cultural exploration. The series touches on themes such as the immigrant experience, the clash between tradition and modernity, community solidarity, and self-discovery. It also highlights the struggles against racism and sexism, embodying a strong sense of social justice.

Rating: 3.5/5 Critics have given “Kung Fu” a solid rating for its fresh take on the original concept, praising its inclusive casting and the spotlight it puts on Asian culture and family dynamics. Some criticism has been directed at its handling of clichés and occasional predictability in plot. Nonetheless, its action sequences and character development received positive nods, as did its timely social commentary.

TV Parental Guidelines Rating: TV-14 due to its depiction of martial arts violence, thematic elements, and occasional language that might not be suitable for younger viewers.

Broadcast Details: The rebooted “Kung Fu” series began airing on The CW network in April 2021.

Recommendations: If you’re a fan of “Kung Fu,” you might also enjoy:

1. “Warrior” – Based on an original concept by Bruce Lee, set during the Tong Wars of San Francisco’s Chinatown in the late 1800s.
2. “Into The Badlands” – A genre-bending martial arts series with a post-apocalyptic setting.
3. “Wu Assassins” – Follows a chef who becomes the last Wu Assassin to restore balance in the world.
4. “Cobra Kai” – A continuation of the “Karate Kid” saga, with a mix of nostalgia and new conflict.
5. “Marvel’s Iron Fist” – Centers on a martial arts expert with the ability to call upon the power of the Iron Fist.