Kung Fu

A restless young Chinese-American woman walks away from college and a predictable future, heading to a secluded Shaolin monastery in China to train and rethink her life. After years of discipline and martial skill, she returns home to find her neighborhood slipping into lawlessness and corruption. Using what she learned in the temple, she steps into the role of protector for her family and community, fighting criminals while following Shaolin principles. At the same time she follows clues about the assassin who killed her mentor and has now put a price on her head, keeping the stakes personal and urgent without giving away any twists.

Created by Christina M. Kim with series credit to Ed Spielman, this 2021 reimagining updates the original concept for a modern audience. Olivia Liang stars as Nicky Shen, supported by Tan Kheng Hua, Eddie Liu, Shannon Dang, and Jon Prasida, bringing a mostly Asian and Asian-American principal cast into a network-era action drama.

The show has become a notable example of Asian-American representation on mainstream television, putting a young Chinese-American woman at the center of an action series and prompting conversations about casting, family dynamics, and cultural authenticity. Its focus on a female lead trained in martial arts stands out in a genre often dominated by male protagonists.

Critics and audiences have generally responded well, reflected in a 7.5/10 user vote average from 308 votes. Reviewers tended to praise its blend of serialized mystery, character-driven family drama, and stylized martial arts sequences. Major themes include identity, duty to family, moral discipline, and how cultural traditions meet modern urban life, all framed through Nicky's personal stakes and evolving code of honor.

The series has not been a major awards winner at the largest industry ceremonies, but it has gained a dedicated fan base and sparked year-end mentions and discussions in cultural outlets about representation and genre reinvention. Its visibility has helped broaden what mainstream action drama can look like today.