Kung Fu

*For the 1972 series, see Kung Fu (1972 TV series). For other titles, see Kung Fu franchise.*
***Kung Fu*** is an American martial arts action-adventure television series that premiered on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 in the 8PM hour. It is a reimagining with a female lead of the 1970's David Carradine-starring TV series.The series is also produced by Warner Bros. Television, Berlanti Productions, and Quinn's House.

All episodes of *Kung Fu* are available to stream on The CW’s digital platforms following their broadcast on the network. An encore presentation of the first episode aired on TNT on April 11, 2021.

The series scored The CW’s highest total viewership number for a Wednesday debut in 7 years since The 100 debuted on March 19, 2014. It debuted to the tune of 1.4 million total viewers and a 0.2 in the 18-49 demographic. In addition, Kung Fu delivered The CW’s largest audience in the time period in two and half years since Riverdale in October 2018. On May 3, 2021, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered in March of 2022.

## Synopsis

In *“Kung Fu,”* A quarter-life crisis causes a young Chinese-American woman, Nicky Shen, to drop out of college and go on a life-changing journey to an isolated monastery in China. But when she returns to San Francisco, she find her hometown overrun with crime and corruption and her own parents Jin Shen and Mei-Li Shen are at the mercy of a powerful Triad. As a result, she will rely on her tech-savvy sister Althea Shen and her fiancé Dennis Soong, pre-med brother Ryan Shen, Assistant District Attorney and ex-boyfriend Evan Hartley, and new love interest Henry Yan as well as her martial arts skills and Shaolin values to protect her community and bring criminals to justice…all while searching for the ruthless assassin Zhilan who killed her Shaolin mentor Pei-Ling Zhang and is now targeting her.

## Cast

### Main

* Olivia Liang as Nicky Shen
* Kheng Hua Tan as Mei-Li Shen
* Eddie Liu as Henry Yan
* Shannon Dang as Althea Shen
* Jon Prasida as Ryan Shen
* Gavin Stenhouse as Evan Hartley
* Vanessa Kai as Pei-Ling Zhang
* Tony Chung as Dennis Soong
* Tzi Ma as Jin Shen
* Yvonne Chapman as Zhilan: (Recurring Season 1; Main Season 2-Present)

### Recurring

* Ludi Lin as Kerwin Tan
* Bradley Gibson as Joe Harper

## Gallery

### Concept artwork

Title CardThe Sword of Liang Daiyu in Intro of Pilot
### Promotional images

Coming Soon PosterPromotional Announcement PosterPoster w/ series premiere date.CW 26 BannerWCA 2021 PosterSeason 2Renewal Announcement
### Videos

Kung Fu - Fight - Season Trailer - The CWEpisode 008- Olivia LiangActress Olivia Liang- Following Your God-Given Desire - The Collaboration ConversationTea with Karen -115 - Guests- Ben Levin, Olivia Liang, & Elijah B. MooreKung Fu - Olivia Liang - Nicky Stands Up - The CWKung Fu - The Heart Of Kung Fu - The CWKung Fu - Cast Featurette - The CWKung Fu Cast - -StopAsianHate - The CWWomen Read Secrets From Teen Girls - Seeking SecretsKung Fu - Hero Within - Season Trailer - The CWKung Fu - Family Style - Season Trailer - The CWKung Fu - Warrior - Season Trailer - The CWEddie Liu talks about Kung Fu on The CW and much more!A to Z- 'Kung Fu' Cast Explains New TV Series From A to Z - Entertainment WeeklyThe “Kung Fu” cast put to the test (ft. Olivia Liang, Eddie Liu, Tzi Ma) - Lunch Break!Shannon Dang talks about her role as Althea Shen on CW's Kung FuKung Fu - Tzi Ma - Bàba Knows Best - The CWKung Fu - Vanessa Kai - Your Life Choice - The CWKung Fu - Yvonne Chapman - Badass Big Bad - The CWKung Fu - Eddie Liu - Henry Takes His Time - The CWKung Fu - Season 1 Episode 3 - Nicki Tries To Help Scene - The CWKung Fu - Season 1 Episode 3 - Evan Meets Henry Scene - The CWKung Fu - Season 1 Episode 4 - Getting Ready for Dinner Scene - The CWKung Fu - Fight -Shorts - The CWKung Fu - Know Me Quote - Season Trailer - The CWKung Fu - Kheng Hua Tan - Grudge Holding Is Genetic - The CWKung Fu - Gavin Stenhouse - Not Over Nicky - The CWKung Fu - Family Style -Shorts - The CWDiversity Behind the Camera - The CWKung Fu Cast - Overcoming Stereotypes - The CWKung Fu - Season 1 Episode 4 - Prenuptial Agreement Scene - The CWKung Fu - Team Nicky - The CWKung Fu - John Prasida - Romantic Rookie - The CWSherri Chung - The Power of Music - The CWKung Fu - Season 1 Episode 9 - Kerwin Tan Scene - The CWKung Fu - Season 1 Episode 9 - Evan Helps Nicky And Henry Scene - The CWEddie Liu of The CW's "Kung Fu" - Multicultural TV Talk with Juan Ayala • MediaVillageKung Fu - Season 1 Episode 10 - Meeting Joe Scene - The CWKung Fu - Season 1 Episode 10 - Sibling Argument Scene - The CWKung Fu - Season 1 Episode 10 - Kerwin & Zhilan Fight Scene - The CWKung Fu - Pretty Cool - Season Trailer - The CWKung Fu - Season 1 Episode 11 - Selling Restaurant Scene - The CWKung Fu - Season 1 Episode 11 - Stealing Tickets Scene - The CWKung Fu - Season 1 Episode 12 - Nicky And Evan Scene - The CWGoing live before ep112!Kung Fu - Season 1 Episode 12 - Grandma Is In Town Scene - The CWKung Fu - Season 1 Episode 12 - Kerwin And Zhilan Scene - The CWKung-Fu Season 1 Bond of Honor Exclusive ClipKung Fu - Season 1 Episode 13 - Transformation Promo - The CW
## Streaming

All episodes of *Kung Fu* are available to stream on The CW’s digital platforms following their broadcast on the network.

## Broadcast

An encore of the series premiere aired on TNT on Sunday, April 11, 2021 at 10 PM.

## Episode Titles

In regards to the episode titles for Season 1, the likes of Christina M. Kim and Robert Berens wanted to stick to broad, one word statements of theme, usually (but not always) hinting towards Buddhist concepts or Pei-Ling Zhang’s past teachings for Nicky Shen.

## Notes

* “Kung Fu” was previously set up at Fox with a put pilot order.
* The series hails from the Blindspot team of writer-executive producer Christina M. Kim, creator-executive producer Martin Gero.
* Kim, Gero, and Berlanti Productions are all currently under overall deals at WBTV.
	+ Christina M. Kim writes and executive produce.
	+ Martin Gero executive produce via Quinn’s House along with Greg Berlanti, David Madden and Sarah Schechter of Berlanti Productions.
	+ Warner Bros. Television produces the series.
* Hanelle Culpepper has signed on to direct the pilot and co-executive produces.
* On May 14, 2020, it was announced on Kung Fu's official Twitter, that the series would premiere in 2021.
* The series is produced by Warner Bros. Television.
* Also on April 22, 2021, Chung was featured in a CW Spotlight video that was shared on the official Instagram account for the Kung Fu TV series.
* On April 28, 2021, Gavin Stenhouse revealed they had Zoom table read for Hand, the fourth episode of Season 1.
* On April 29, 2021, Shannon Dang mentioned in an Instagram post that the night before (April 28th), they wrapped Season 1 of *Kung Fu*. Dang went onto thank the crew and her fellow cast members while she recounted how in Feb. 2020, they got shut down due to COVID, reunited in September, and somehow through it all, managed to finish their 13th episode in April 2021.
* Also on this day, in an effort to support the AAPI community and take action against the rise in xenophobic crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, IGN is joined forces with Stop AAPI Hate to host a charity stream where they played Fall Guys to raise funds. Subsequently, it was announced that Olivia Liang would be one of the guests for this charity play stream.
* On May 1, 2021, in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Hello Sunshine Instagram page is honoring films and TV shows about various Asian cultures, and with Asian and Asian American casts.
* On May 3, 2021 it was announced that The CW had officially renewed ***Kung Fu*** for a second season due to premiere sometime in the 2021-2022 TV Season.
* On May 24 ,2021, it was announced that the Season 1 Finale aired on Wednesday July 21, 2021 at 8PM on The CW.

## References

1. ↑ https://twitter.com/cw\_kungfu/status/1364652978007728131
2. ↑ ‘Kung Fu’ Debuts Strong, Hits The CW’s Highest Wednesday Viewership In 7 Years
3. ↑ ‘‘Kung Fu’ Reboot Pilot at CW Casts Olivia Liang in Lead Role
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 ‘Kung-Fu’: Tzi Ma & Kheng Hua Tan To Co-Star In the CW Reboot Pilot - Deadline
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 ‘Kung Fu’: Jon Prasida, Shannon Dang & Eddie Liu To Co-Star In the CW Reboot Pilot - Deadline
6. ↑ ‘Kung Fu’: Gavin Stenhouse & Gwendoline Yeo Join the CW Reboot Pilot
7. ↑ ‘Kung Fu’: Vanessa Kai Joins the CW Reboot Series
8. ↑ ‘Kung Fu’: Tony Chung Joins the CW Reboot Series
9. ↑ Antonio Jaramillo Joins ‘Snowfall’; ‘Kung Fu’ Casts Yvonne Chapman
10. ↑ ‘Kung Fu’: Yvonne Chapman Upped To Series Regular For Season 2 - Deadline
11. ↑ Ludi Lin Joins The CW’s ‘Kung Fu’ Reboot
12. ↑ ‘Power Book II: Ghost’s Bradley Gibson To Recur On ‘Kung Fu’ Reboot
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Episode Number for Season 1 & Thank You Note for Cast & Crew - Instagram
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 The CW Unveils Summer Finale Dates for Walker, The Flash, Kung Fu and More - TV Line
15. ↑ https://tvline.com/2022/04/07/the-cw-season-finale-dates-all-american-superman-lois-flash/
16. ↑ The CW Sets Premiere Dates For ‘Kung Fu’, ‘Republic Of Sarah’ & Return Of ‘Dynasty’, ‘Legends Of Tomorrow’, ‘In The Dark’; New Slots For ‘Batwoman’, ‘Charmed’
17. ↑ ‘Kung Fu’ Premiere To Air On TNT
18. ↑ Twitter
19. ↑ The CW is committed to bringing diverse perspectives and voices to creative roles behind the camera - Instagram
20. ↑ April 28th Tweet - Twitter
21. ↑ Warner Bros. IG Account - Instagram
22. ↑ How to Watch the IGN x Stop AAPI Hate Charity Stream - IGN
23. ↑ Must See Watchlist for AAPI Heritage Month - Instagram
24. ↑ ‘Kung Fu’ & ‘Stargirl’ Renewed At The CW - Deadline