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| THE RETURN OF THE CONDOR HEROES' Andy Lau and Idy Chan |
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| Louis Cha praised Adam Cheng and Liza Wang for bringing his THE BOOK AND THE SWORD characters to life |
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| Barbara Yung and Felix Wong's THE LEGEND OF THE CONDOR HEROES remains a classic |
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| Louis Koo and Carmen Lee's THE RETURN OF THE CONDOR HEROES received good reviews |
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| The 2014 Mainland version of THE RETURN OF THE CONDOR HEROES played matchmaker for Chen Xiao and Michelle Chen |
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| Richie Jen was in SMILING AND PROUD WANDERER thanked Louis Cha for his imagination filled fantasy world |
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| Michael Miu played Wong Yuk Si in last year's THE LEGEND OF THE CONDOR HEROES |
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| Zhang Jizhong adapted many Louis Cha novels and said that Louis Cha's wuxia would always remain in the world. |
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| Huang Xiaoming says Louis Cha's character all had invincible spirits |
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| Louis Cha says that ROYAL TRAMP's Stephen Chow is the perfect Wai Siu Bo |
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Stephen Chow used Louis Cha character names in KUNG FU HUSTLE, for which he insisted on paying royalties for.
courtesy of mingpao.com |
The great literary hero of a generation, Ming Pao founder
Louis Cha (Jin Yong) yesterday passed away at the Hong Kong Sanatorium and
Hospital at age 94. "Anywhere with Chinese people would certainly have
Jin Yong's wuxia novels" often described Louis Cha and his wuxia novel's
widespread influence. Louis Cha's wuxia novel mixed history, people and
romance, in Hong Kong, the Mainland and around the world they were widely
popular and never faded with age. Through the magic of his pen, wuxia
novels went from being looked down upon as "low class" and "vulgar" to
become the study subject of numerous scholars. Later it even developed
into "Jinology" that was mentioned in the same breath as "Redology"
(the study of DREAM OF THE RED CHAMBER). Deep sorrow and regret spread
across the community over Louis Cha's passing, but his wuxia spirit of
"Shooting a white deer, snow flutters around the skies; Smiling, [one]
writes about the divine chivalrous one, leaning against bluish lovebirds
(or lover)" would forever endure.
Louis Cha wrote under pen names "Yao Fulan", "Lin Huan" and "Jin
Yong". Under the pen name "Jin Yong" he wrote many classic wuxia novels.
He was also a famous Hong Kong newspaper founder, novelist and critic.
Since the 1955 THE BOOK AND THE SWORD to the 1972 THE DEER AND
THE CAULDRON when he officially ended his writing career, Louis Cha
created wuxia novels were well known. His work like THE LEGEND OF THE
CONDOR HEROES, THE RETURN OF THE CONDOR HEROES, THE HEAVENLY SWORD AND
THE DRAGON SABER and DEMI-GODS AND SEMI-DEVILS had far reaching influence
on the entire Chinese literary world. Over the years they made into
television series and films time and again and even led to many comic
book and animation products.
Louis Cha was born in Haining, Zhejiang on March 10th, 1924, a
descendant of Cha Sheng's grandson Cha Kui. At age 8 he by chance
discovered THE HEROINE and fell in love with reading wuxia novel. He
read dozens of novels like WATER MARGIN and THE SEVEN HEROS AND FIVE
GALLANTS all at once. At age 15 he and his classmate co-wrote FOR JUNIOR
HIGH SCHOOL APPLICANTS, his first book publication that was a top seller
in southern Zhejiang, even reached as far as places like Jiangxi and
Fujian.
During the War Against Japanese Aggression, he relied on the
government issued payments for a living. After coming to Hong Kong, he
worked as a supplement editor on the Ta Kung Pao affiliate New Evening
POST and in the 50s began his journey of wuxia novels. In 1959 he founded
Ming Pao. Aside from wuxia novel serial, his Ming Pao published social
commentary was also deeply influential. In the 60s and the 70s it even
became the authority in reporting news about China and also satisfied
Hong Kong's demand for Mainland information.
Not just the cultural world, Louis Cha in 1981 even met with Deng
Xiaoping and discussed many political issues. Later he participated in
the drafting of Hong Kong Basic Laws and was assigned to the Hong Kong
Basic Law drafting council "political party" committee Hong Kong leader.
In 2000, Louis Cha received the Special Administrative Region government's
highest honor the Great Bauhinia badge. In 2009 he was a honorary chair
of the 7th national council of the China writers association.
Louis Cha recalled in his interview with Mainland host Yang Lan,
"At first I created for work, I didn't have any novel writing experience.
I created wuxia novel with a give it a try state of mind, fame completely
was unexpected." In 2009 Louis Cha returned to visit and attend a forum
at Ta Kung Pao after 52 years. "At Ta Kung Pao I contributed my youth and
intelligence, looking back today I feel I have no regret in this life."
The Culturist facebook page yesterday posted around 7PM the reply
from Louis Cha's son in regards to his father's death. "The news is
correct, thank you." He pointed out that his father passed away
peacefully. His family was by his side when he passed.
Hong Kong Ming Pao site yesterday evening posted "Remembering
Mr. Jing Yong", stating that the entire Ming Pao organization was deeply
saddened by the passing of Ming Pao founder and famous wuxia novelist
Louis Cha and sent its sincerest condolences to his family.
The eulogy pointed out that Mr. Louis Cha was a good friend of
Ming Pao publication group chief Tiong Hiew King, Tan Sri Datuk. "Ming
Pao has been toiling in the newspaper industry for years and headed
toward the top. If not for Mr. Louis Cha's hard work and tireless effort,
making a name for it with his pen it would not be here today. Mr. Cha's
passing to Ming Pao, to Hong Kong press industry and the Chinese literary
world undoubtedly is a tremendous loss."
Louis Cha's 14 books "Shooting a white deer, snow flutters around the skies; Smiling, [one]
writes about the divine chivalrous one, leaning against bluish lovebirds
(or lover)" remained classics, its intriguing stories told of a variety of
relationships in the world. Each of his book was rich in visuals and has
been adapted for film and television. Thus Louis Cha made Hong Kong wuxia
series' golden age, and television series made Louis Cha a gigantic
influence on the global Chinese world. Anywhere with Chinese people would
know about Louis Cha. They may not have read Louis Cha's wuxia novels,
but they would have watched Louis Cha wuxia novel based television series
or films. Many caught up on his novels due to the television series.
Each book represented an era, a classic in the hearts of Chinese people in
Hong Kong and around the world.
Louis Cha's connection to film and television aside from his
rich visuals in his novels was also his love for writing screenplays. In
1958 Louis Cha under the pen name "Lin Huan" wrote many scripts, including
NEVER LEAVE ME, THE THREE LOVES, THE FAIRY DOVE, THE NATURE OF SPRING,
ONE MILLION FOR ME. Later he wrote and directed, but only co-directed two
films with others. They were the 1958 THE NATURE OF SPRING with Cheng
Pu-Kuo and the 1959 BRIDE HUNTER with Hu Siao-Fung. Then his work caught
the eye of television stations and film companies. They created the
golden age for Hong Kong television stations, influenced the Mainland
television world, and versions of different eras made many artists and
top stars of different eras.
Among Louis Cha's 14 novels, the first to be adapted for the
screen was THE LEGEND OF THE CONDOR HEROES. The one that was the most
adapted was also THE LEGEND OF THE CONDOR HEROES, so far it has already
been made ten times. In 1976 Commercial Television adapted THE LEGEND OF
THE CONDOR HEROES for the first time into a television series with Pak
Piao and Michelle Yim (Mai Suet). Although CTV only lasted three years,
it made five Louis Cha series: THE LEGEND OF THE CONDOR HEROES, THE
RETURN OF THE CONDOR HEROES, SWORD STAINED WITH ROYAL BLOOD, FOX VOLANT
OF THE SNOWY MOUNTAIN, and THE DEER AND THE CAULDRON. One after another
Louis Cha series made TVB rating fall extremely. TVB also made THE
LEGEND OF THE CONDOR HEROES with Felix Wong Yat Wa and Barbara Yung Mei
Ling and launched the golden age of wuxia series. Whenever TVB faced any
rating pressure it would adapt Louis Cha's work. THE SMILING, PROUD
WANDERER, THE DEER AND THE CAULDRON, FOX VOLANT OF HE SNOW MOUNTAIN
started production one after another and beat ATV. Louis Cha's work in
the 80s became TVB's rating gimmick as it was often remade; its
television series video tape was also sold all over the world, wherever
Chinese people were Louis Cha series could be seen.
THE LEGEND OF THE CONDOR HEROES so far has already been made into
ten versions. The 1983 Wong Yat Wa and Yung Mei Ling starred version once
was the most viewed television series in Hong Kong history. The second
most adapted was THE RETURN OF THE CONDOR HEROES with 8. THE RETURN OF
THE CONDOR HEROES was also made into a CTV series in 1976, starring Law
Lok Lam and Lee Tung Ming. TVB in 83 made the Andy Lau Tak Wa and the
Idy Chan Yuk Ling version. Its popularity passed the Wong Yat Wa and
Yung Mei Ling starred LEGEND to become the most watched series in Hong
Kong history. Chan Yuk Ling's Dragon Maiden was also the "permanent
Dragon Maiden" in the hearts of Hong Kong people. Later came the Louis
Koo Tin Lok and Carmen Lee Yeuk Tung version and the Mainland Crystal Liu
Yifei and Huang Xiaoming versions.
As for film, the first Louis Cha novel film adaptation was also
THE LEGEND OF THE CONDOR HEROES. In 1958 Wu Peng directed the black and
white Cantonese film. In the 60s when Liang Yusheng and Gu Long's wuxia
novels were often adapted into films, they also became the foundation for
Louis Cha's film adaptations. The 1960 RETURN OF THE CONDOR HEROES
Cantonese film was Lee Fa directed, Patrick Tse Yin, Nam Hung and Leung
So Kam starred. Later in 1992 THE DEER AND THE CAULDRON based ROYAL
TRAMP and its sequel starred Stephen Chow Sing Chi and were very popular.
Anyone who played Louis Cha's characters would become famous, as
they made many young stars for TVB. Back then when Adam Cheng Siu Chau
and Liza Wang Ming Chuen starred in THE BOOK AND THE SWORD his heroic
image was solidified. With his television series theme song it still
remains a symbolic work.
Cheng Siu Chau admitted, "Since I played in THE BOOK AND THE
SWORD, my hero image was solidified in the hearts of viewers. He has
many ideas in his head, and used a lot of history in his writing to make
you think that the characters are real. Once you open his novel you
would keep reading it. I remember I too read his novels under the
sheets."
During the TVB Five Tigers era, Lau Tak Wa, Wong Yat Wa, Tony
Leung Chiu Wai, Michael Miu Kiu Wai and Tong Chun Yip also rose with
Louis Cha wuxia series. Lau Tak Wa said, "Mr. Jing Yong is a wonder in
the wuxia novel world. My being able to play his character Yeung Gor
was also fate. Back then when I founded TeamWork the first film SAVIOR
OF THE SOUL (91 SUN DIU HUP NUI) also got its name from Mr. Jin Yong's
novel. Actually all along I have been concerned with his health. When I
heard the news of his passing I felt very regrettable. It absolutely was
a huge loss to the wuxia world. I wish him a safe journey and my
condolences to his family."
Wong Yat Wa sincerely said, "Without Jin Yong here would be no
Wong Yat Wa. I was fortunate enough to play THE LEGEND OF THE CONDOR
HEROES' Kwok Ching and DEMI-GODS and SEMI-DEVIL's Kiu Fung, which brought
my career to new heights. The news of Mr. Jin Yong's passing surprised
me. I am deeply saddened and wish him a safe journey. I would always
remember Mr. Jin Yong."
Aside from film and television series, Jin Yong's work also became
a favorite of online games. Jin Yong's heroes have been designed into
internet games, HEROES OF JIN YONG, as its protagonists. With its
unique martial art learning system, skill and canceling system, it
attracted many people who long fantasized about Louis Cha wuxia novel
stories. In this game, players would be in the stories as they wandered
the world with Jin Yong heroes. Since its 2001 release, the game has been
rather popular in Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Macau and
other places.
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