April 28, 2021 (NYC)– 5 ReasonsTo Support “Kung Fu“.  We released our review of the Pilot episode of the new CW Show “Kung Fu” several weeks ago.   Our review of the show was positive on many levels.  The cast is extremely likeable.   The story was interesting.  The action was good.   It was re-imagined from a highly successful icon of television history.  However, in today’s flooded television and streaming environment it is hard to sustain an audience unless a show’s content is superior.   So far “Kung-Fu” has done a good job of maintaining its audience, which was the highest Wednesday viewership in The CW’s history.  The martial arts community should support this show and insure it is renewed.  Here is why:

1.  The family friendly show supports positive themes of family, honor, and respect.  These are basic and important martial arts tenets we need to constantly reinforce.;

2.  The show has strong, smart, independent female role models, which are important examples for the young woman in our Dojangs to see in family entertainment.  It is important for young woman to see strong woman who are not Superheroes but still capable, independent, and intelligent.;

3.   Support of the show is support for a show that has a, largely, Asian-American starring cast in non-stereotypical roles, which is so desperately needed in this bizarre era where #StopAsianHate has become a necessary hashtag on Social Media and beyond.  While it is not the only show with this qualitative aspect, it is one of the few.;

4.   “Kung Fu” is martial arts television; a rarity.    Support of “Kung Fu“, like the overwhelming fan based support of the revived HBO Show, “Warrior“, sends a clear message to the entertainment industry that martial artists are a great target audience for programming, and we need more of it.;

5.   “Kung Fu” is a good solid piece of entertainment.   Episode 4 “Hand” will premiere tonight in most markets, and it is worth checking out.   The episode continues the throughline of the main plot, where Nicky unravels the clues necessary to track down her Master’s killer.   It also, continues to adeptly address the humanistic subplots involving the normal issues of family interactions, as well as some heavier issues surrounding family, LGBTQ matters, social issues, labor, and sexual abuse.   

If Episode 4 “Hand” is an example of what the rest of the season will bring I look forward to what is to come and hope Taekwondo Life Magazine’s audience, particularly, our teen and young adult audience will continue to spread the word of support of this show.

-by Marc Zirogiannis

Episode 4 Synopsis:  KNOWING YOUR WORTH — As Nicky (Olivia Liang) and Henry (Eddie Liu) follow a new lead that brings them to a private collector in Napa, a tension-filled dinner with the Soong’s leaves Althea (Shannon Dang) to question her worth. Elsewhere, Evan’s (Gavin Stenhouse) suspicions about Henry continue to grow. Tzi Ma, Kheng Hua Tan, Jon Prasida and Tony Chung also star. America Young directed the episode written by Kathryn Borel Jr. (#104). Original airdate 4/28/2021. Every episode of KUNG FU will be available to stream on The CW App and CWTV.com the day after broadcast for free and without a subscription, log-in or authentication required.