The Eight Fairies

Taishang Laojun tasks eight ordinary people with the chance to become immortals. The chosen include Tieguai Li with his iron crutch, Lü Dongbin, Zhang Guolao the fruit seller, He Xiangu, Lan Caihe, Han Xiangzi, Han Zhongli, and Cao Guojiu. Each comes from a different walk of life, and none starts out heroic, but Lao Jun mentors them toward enlightenment and cultivation. They travel to help others and build virtue through small, everyday deeds. On their path they face threats and tests tied to dragons and heavenly powers, challenging whether their inner goodness can prevail when facing danger and doubt.

Premiering in 1985, the series comes from creators Cheng Man-Wah and Ding Leung, drawing on the Eight Immortals legend and classic Taoist folklore to reimagine these figures as modern day allies who gain wisdom through acts of kindness. It stood out for blending myth with television in the mid eighties, using a compact budget to deliver imaginative set pieces and character driven moments.

Awards: No major awards or nominations for this series are documented. It remains a niche title from the 1980s that fans remember for its inventive fusion of mythic figures with character driven drama and fantasy. Creators and cast are often praised by fans who discovered the show in archives or on later home video.

Eight immortals are a staple of East Asian myth, and this series adds a dramatic, human touch to their legend. By placing familiar immortal icons in accessible stories, it helped keep the myths alive for audiences exploring folklore through television. Its presence alongside other 1980s fantasy shows helped set a template for mythic ensembles in Asian TV.

Reception centers on its blend of drama and fantasy and the emphasis on virtue and community service. Led by Kong Hon and Savio Tsang, the show invites viewers to judge character by deeds that help others and sustain the greater good. Viewers often note its earnest tone and the way the eight immortals are humanized without losing their iconic essence.