Watch Kung Fu

Kung Fu is a TV series that premiered on The CW on April 7, 2021. It is a modern adaptation of the 1972 television series with the same name created by Ed Spielman. The show follows the story of a young Chinese-American woman named Nicky Shen, played by Olivia Liang, who drops out of college and goes to a Shaolin monastery in China to train in Kung Fu after having a quarter-life crisis. When she returns to San Francisco after three years, she realizes that her hometown is now filled with crime and corruption. Nicky uses her martial arts skills and her knowledge of Chinese culture to fight crime in San Francisco, while also trying to reconnect with her family and protecting her Shaolin mentor who is being targeted.

The show takes place in a modern-day San Francisco and carries themes of family, culture, and female empowerment. Nicky's family is central to the plot, and they provide an insight into the Chinese-American experience and their struggles with identity and culture. Her mother, Mei-Li Shen, played by Kheng Hua Tan, is a traditional Chinese immigrant trying to keep the family business from failing. Nicky's brother, Ryan, played by Jon Prasida, and his wife, Althea, played by Shannon Dang, are also dealing with their personal struggles, including issues with the family business and their marriage. Even Nicky's ex-boyfriend, Evan, played by Gavin Stenhouse, appears to have a connection with her family.

The show also features a diverse cast of characters, including Nicky's love interest, Henry Yan, played by Eddie Liu, who is a computer engineer and eventually becomes one of Nicky's crime-fighting partners. Other characters include Liang Pei-Ling, played by Vanessa Kai, who is Nicky's Shaolin mentor and is targeted by unknown assailants, and her niece, Jin, played by Tzi Ma. Jin is a San Francisco police officer who initially does not approve of Nicky's vigilante methods, but later becomes her ally.

One of the unique aspects of this show is its representation of the martial arts. The series features well-choreographed fight scenes with various fighting styles, including Kung Fu, Wing Chun, and Tai Chi. The fight scenes are not just entertaining but also serve to showcase the importance of discipline, patience, and mental fortitude in the practice of martial arts.

Overall, Kung Fu is a show that combines action, drama, and cultural representation in a unique and entertaining way. It is a fresh take on the classic martial arts genre and provides insights into the Chinese-American experience. With a talented and diverse cast and captivating storylines, Kung Fu is a must-watch for anyone looking for an exciting and thought-provoking television show.

Kung Fu is a series that ran for 3 seasons (39 episodes) between April 7, 2021 and on The CW