Since its literary inception in the pre-Qin era with “Han Feizi,” “Wuxia” has carried and embodied the emotions and joys and sorrows of the Chinese people for thousands of years. As a representative figure of Chinese wuxia novels, Jin Yong elevated this uniquely romance to a global height.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Jin Yong's birth. To commemorate this, Tencent Video and Yaoke Culture have produced a series directed by Xu Bing, Deng Ke, Cao Dun, Zang Xichuan, and Yang Lei, with writers Xu Bing, Li Haishu, Huang Yanwei, Cao Xiaotian, Cheng Tingyu, and Luo Yiwei. The series stars Zhou Yiwei, Gao Weiguang, Chen Duling, Peter Ho, Hani Kezi, Ming Dao, Meng Ziyi, He Yu, Cisha, Bao Shang'en, Wang Hongyi, and Huang Yi (listed in order of appearance based on the storyline). The “The Legend of Heroes: Hot Blooded” series premiered on June 17, with the first 30-episode web drama “Iron Blooded Loyal Heart” inviting a new generation to experience the authentic essence of Jin Yong and the pure charm of wuxia culture.
“The Legend of Heroes: Hot Blooded” continues the legacy of the first part of the 1983 version of “The Legend of the Condor Heroes.” The 1983 series, comprising 59 episodes, is divided into three parts: “Hot Blooded,” “Eastern Heretic and Western Venom,” and “Duel on Mount Hua.” The “The Legend of Heroes” series is structured into five units: “Hot Blooded,” “Eastern Heretic and Western Venom,” “Southern Emperor and Northern Beggar,” “Nine Yin True Sutra,” and “Duel on Mount Hua.” Unlike the 1983 series, which follows the main characters Guo Jing and Huang Rong sequentially, each unit in the “The Legend of Heroes” series has its own storyline. This approach mirrors the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where individual hero films like “Iron Man,” “Thor,” and “Captain America” were released before culminating in “The Avengers,” followed by spin-offs of various superheroes.
“The Legend of Heroes” focuses on the familiar characters Guo Jing and Huang Rong in “Hot Blooded,” while the remaining four units explore the stories of secondary characters like Huang Yaoshi, Ouyang Feng, Duan Zhixing, Hong Qigong, Wang Chongyang, and Mei Chaofeng. The screenwriters have ample creative space to develop the stories without altering the core themes of “The Legend of the Condor Heroes.” Through coherent story logic and character motivations, “Hot Blooded” brings to life a multifaceted portrayal of its characters, making the entire wuxia world more vivid and believable, thus constructing a dynamic “Jin Yong Universe.”
Weaving the Charm of Wuxia
The world of Jianghu is composed of people, and characters are essential to the wuxia universe. Only by telling compelling stories about people can we present a more realistic, three-dimensional, and profound wuxia world. “Hot Blooded” is rooted in Jin Yong's epic masterpiece “The Legend of the Condor Heroes,” highlighting the chivalric spirit embedded in his works. It narrates the journey of Guo Jing, who, bearing family vendettas, ventures into Jianghu, experiences extraordinary adventures, and ultimately grows into a great hero who serves the country and its people.
The drama's plot is full of twists and turns, and its portrayal of the martial arts community is vivid and brilliant. It reinterprets well-known characters, such as showcasing Guo Jing's wisdom masked by simplicity, and deepens the depiction of others like Yang Kang. Through coherent story logic and character motivations, “Hot Blooded” brings to life a variety of characters, giving each a three-dimensional presence and a complete arc. This approach makes the wuxia world more believable and vividly constructs the “Jin Yong Universe.”
In different eras and in the hearts of various readers (and viewers), chivalry has many faces but shares a similar core. In “Hot Blooded,” the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan, despite their modest martial skills, leave the comfort of their home to venture into the desolate desert, spending over a decade teaching Guo Jing martial arts because of a promise—this is chivalry. Ma Yu, as the chief disciple of the Quanzhen Sect, knowing his junior brother Qiu Chuji's bet with the Seven Freaks, still teaches the promising Guo Jing without being hindered by sectarian divisions—this too is chivalry. “Hot Blooded” expands the concept of chivalry beyond those with high martial skills or great fame. It includes those with a righteous heart, those who stand against injustice, and those who lend a helping hand. By creating well-rounded characters, “The Legend of Heroes: Hot Blooded” weaves the charm of chivalry through various stories, fully restoring the authentic flavor of Jin Yong's wuxia.
“The Legend of Heroes: Hot Blooded” invites the renowned action director Gu Xuan Zhao, known for his work on “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons,” to ensure the quality of fight scenes. From the outset, the series committed to minimizing special effects, favoring real action. Both new and experienced actors underwent extensive training, grounding every move in physical reality. Many actors overcame numerous psychological and physical challenges during filming, often enduring tough conditions, to present iconic scenes like the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan battling Mei Chaofeng, Mu Nianci's martial arts contest for marriage, and Huang Rong's duel at the royal palace. These scenes blend aesthetic beauty with genuine martial prowess, reminiscent of the golden age of wuxia action.
Exploring the Core Philosophy of Jin Yong's Wuxia
The challenges facing recent wuxia dramas are not merely about the works themselves but lie deeper in the story's core and value philosophy. A failure to modernize the “Xia culture” and connect it with contemporary audiences through empathetic resonance is a significant reason for the shortcomings of many wuxia dramas. The simple chivalric sentiments are the adhesive that continually resonates with audiences. Values like upholding justice, repaying gratitude, and keeping promises still hold significance today. Those influenced by Chinese culture and familiar with Jin Yong's works often recognize the chivalric spirit, fighting against evil, and honoring commitments within wuxia stories.
“The Legend of Heroes: Hot Blooded” blends themes of righteousness, familial vengeance, life and death, and power, weaving them into a grand Jianghu dream. Whether noble lords or wandering heroes, all characters have their unique adherence to chivalry. These characters navigate their fates driven by chivalric ideals, leading to either tragic or gratifying conclusions, providing young viewers with an authentic taste of Jin Yong's wuxia.
Jianghu has never been far; it has just taken on a new form. Jin Yong's works continuously explore wuxia philosophy, contributing to their enduring popularity. “The Legend of Heroes: Hot Blooded,” using the classics as a starting point, reshapes the oriental wuxia worldview of “Xia,” allowing audiences to revisit the heartfelt chivalry in Jin Yong's works while breathing new life into these classic tales in the modern era.
