Legends in making: 6 of the best-known characters from world of martial arts novelist Louis Cha ‘Jin Yong’
- Generations have grown up with TV adaptations of Cha’s works, attaching the names of his characters to actors and actresses who went on to become cultural icons
The illustrious world of sword-wielding kung fu masters battling on mountain tops created by late novelist Louis Cha Leung-yung has been a household staple in the Chinese-speaking world.
Depending on who you ask, however, the books by Cha, who used the pen name Jin Yong, may not be a person’s point of entry into this fantasy world that splashes fictional characters against historic backdrops.
Since the 1950s, generations of Hong Kong people have grown up with film and television adaptations of Cha’s works, attaching the names of his characters to actors and actresses who would go on to become cultural icons. Here are some of the best-known characters:
1. Yang Guo and ‘Little Dragon Maiden’ from The Return of the Condor Heroes
Said to be Cha’s most romantic work, the second entry in the “Condor trilogy” tells the bittersweet story of young man Yang Guo and “Little Dragon Maiden” – his martial arts teacher-turned-lover. In this tale the ill-fated couple battle through fatal obstacles seeking reunion.