Shaolin's K-Star

[TaichiMantis]

The circus continues.....

Who from this forum would you like to see apply? :D

[Shaolinlueb]

I would apply for the job. I always wanted to play a really bad bad guy, being seen as a hated westerner who pumped their culture full of opium and raped their women. yeah the chinese people would hate my character and let me play other bad guys and such too maybe.

[GeneChing]

I'm not that into reality TV, but I think I'd rather watch this Shaolin show than Chuck Norris' reality TV show (http://www.worldcombatleague.com/index.html). At least Shaolin is inviting everyone, regardless of nationality, etc. I don't think Chuck will invite the rest of the world beyond America.

[GeneChing]

This is somewhat related to the initial post (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-temple4dec04,0,1545625.story?coll=la-home-headlines), so I thought I'd post it here.

[GeneChing]

There's been some buzz about the reality show/contest/movie project lately and I realize that we haven't posted it here yet. Here's some new articles. We've just talked to Fu Min about it a little. More to come, I'm sure...

Sina News (http://english.sina.com/life/1/2005/1230/60175.html)
CBC news (http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2005/11/22/Arts/shaolin_051122.html)
People's Daily (http://english.people.com.cn/200509/11/eng20050911_207933.html)
The Buddhist channel (http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=12,1665,0,0,1,0)

There's more if you surf around. Xinhua has posted more in Chinese apparently...

[SimonM]

What form will the competition take? If it's NHB I'm so there. But my forms aren't very pretty... :s

[GreenCloudCLF]

I'm not that into reality TV, but I think I'd rather watch this Shaolin show than Chuck Norris' reality TV show (http://www.worldcombatleague.com/index.html). At least Shaolin is inviting everyone, regardless of nationality, etc. I don't think Chuck will invite the rest of the world beyond America.

Gene,

How could you say that don't you know that at night the Boogie Man checks his closet for Chuck Norris?:D :cool:

[gregdread]

I recently saw a news clip about the TV series being discussed:

Go to: http://cbs5.com/video/
Then: Search for "kung fu"

Get past the of the weather and Apple's anniversary; then you get news regarding TV series on Shaolin Kung-Fu Star. Feel free to watch the clip on "9-to-5", if you happen to be a Dolly Parton fan. ;)

[TaichiMantis]

K-Star Global Chinese Kung Fu Star TV Competition (http://www.chinaknowledge.com/news-detail.aspx?id=2563#)

Anyone know anyone in China who has seen it?

[GeneChing]

But we've been following the developments of this on a Shaolin Forum thread. (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39272)

[David Jamieson]

maybe we can get some of the folks in china to youtube a couple of segments so we can watch in awe... or with bemusement, depending. :p

[golden arhat]

it might be good especially if they focus on compettitive wushu cos alot of people just do it in gym class there so they will have alot of talent to choose from

[Wildwoo]

Hey guys;
does anyone have information on the Shaolin Temple K-star competitions?

Thanks

[GeneChing]

We've discussed this project somewhat before (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39272) as it has evolved. It's been very confusing because the story has been changing on what will actually happen. Such is the nature of Shaolin and Chinese TV, I suppose. All things are impermanent.

We were contacted some time ago about hosting/promoting the American audition/tournament. It sounded like too much work and investment for us, besides we have our own tournament project this year, the Tiger Claw Elite Championships in cooperation with Disney (http://www.tigerclawelite.com/), so we opted to decline. As much as we would have liked to participate, our 2006 plate is already too full. The KSTAR Shaolin Temple Event has been taken up by the Piacente Group/IronPond Entertainment. They have contacted us recently too. One of their top people worked with us before producing 2001 U.S. Open Kuoshu/Martial Arts Championships & 2nd International (http://www.martialartsmart.net/vid20usopkuo.html). So we are trying to help them promote the U.S. audition/qualifier. Consequently, I should have more information for you all shortly about this. The qualifier is coming up really soon. Here's the press release so far:


First International Kung Fu Star Reality Show Competition
IronPond Entertainment/Shaolin Temple Comm. Co
Televised Competition
July 7-8, 2006
Los Angeles, CA

The competition will gather up and coming male kung-fu/wushu artists to compete on television to showcase the culture, spirit, artistry of this 5000 year old competitive sport. 100 competitors will perform their choice of open hand form, weapon, or two-man set not longer than two minutes. This First International Reality TV Show Kung Fu Competition hopes to yield the next male kung-fu star of the world. Three distinguised judges from China and a studio audience will determine top finalists who will receive all expense paid trip to Shaolin Temple for filming of finals and training. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!

Awards ceremony hosted in Hollywood, will include VIP's and movie industry martial arts leaders, media, and guests.

No fee to apply. Apply by June 12,2006 Applications open to Males 18 and older with a minimum of four years of Chinese martial arts experience are eligible to register. Limited to 100, so apply immediately!

Contact: talentscoutkstar@yahoo.com

[Lokhopkuen]

I got a chance to meet with the Monk responsible for the US promotions last night at my school. One of my students is handling some of the legal aspects of the show and it seems I have become involved in the project on a peripheral level. I just happen to have the most recent press release for this as well as a K-star t-shirt and cool Shaolin prayer beads in their own "Shaolin Brand" logo'd bag. When I get a chance I will send the press release.

Woo you got a big mouth kidd,,,,,

[Lokhopkuen]

Ok here is a draft copy that I got today.


K-Star 2006

Bringing together the power of television and entertainment with the long history and popularity of Chinese martial arts, Shaolin Temple and Shenzen Satellite TV in conjunction with Los Angeles based IronPond Entertainment, are launching the first international reality show competition to search for the next-generation male Kung-Fu star of the world.

The contest will gather new-generation male kung-fu artists globally to compete on television and will showcase the culture, spirit and artistry of this 5,000 year traditional Chinese martial arts. K-Star 2006 strives to bring together kung-fu fans from around the world and promote a global cultural exchange of kung-fu passion, spirit, and brotherhood.

WORLDWIDE COMPETITION

More than XXX contestants from around the world will compete in regions throughout China and five international venues for the opportunity to become one of 28 global competitors in the first international reality show competition to find the next male Kung-fu star of the world.

Contestants will then be judged by a panel of distinguished martial arts masters and VIP judges in the entertainment industry on their skills as a kung-fu martial artist and their spiritual dedication to the art itself. This show will be broadcast around the wold and the finalists chosen through a combination of judges’ votes and mobile phone short messaging (SMS) votes.

Final Competitions:
The 28 global competitors will receive an all-expenses paid trip to train and compete at the famous Shaolin Temple in China. These 28 competitors will then compete and be short-listed to 18 finalists through a variety of competitions that tests the artists skills in forms, weapons, and martial arts drills to become the top seven semi-finalists, to enter the last round.

The last round will produce the final top three winners (second runner-up, runner up and first place winner) for the contest, who will be announced at an awards ceremony to be held on Month XX, 2006.


NORTH AMERICAN COMPETITION

The North American regional contest will be a two day event held in Los Angeles on July 14-15, 2006, featuring the top 100 male kung-fu contestants selected from a nationwide pool of applicants. This competition will lead to the selection of three North American finalists who will go on to compete in the K-Star ‘Final Competitions.’

Application/Eligibility Information
All adult males aged 18 or older from the United States and Canada with a high level of kung-fu experience are eligible to apply. An application is available at
www.[website].com.

Judges
The judging panel will be comprised of prestigious martial arts masters and will include a chief judging member, a martial arts judging member, a performing arts judging member, and an entertainment industry judge.

VIP attendees
World renowned martial and action artists and film stars such as Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Eric Tsang, Yuen Woo-ping, Donnie Yen, Zhang Ziyi, Chow Yun Fat, Steven Seagal, Michelle Yeoh, and Ching Siu-tung are among the invited VIP guests to attend this global competition.

GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION
Broadcast Outlet-Shenzhen Satellite TV
As China’s youngest and fastest-growing vanguard media outlet, Shenzhen Satellite TV covers China’s 26 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions involving a total population of 200 million. In collaboration with over 50 domestic and overseas television stations, Shenzhen Satellite TV will work to make this contest a focus for 2006 in China and throughout the world.

Regional TV partners will broadcast regional contest programs, news reports and clips for publicity. Internet media will be involved in the whole process from registration, mass screening, to news report and online voting.

[GeneChing]

The Friends of Shaolin, a division of the Tiger Claw Foundation (http://www.tigerclawfoundation.org/) has agreed to host the application form for the First International Kung-Fu Star Reality Show Competition North American Regionals on our website.

Go to www.tigerclawfoundation.org (http://www.tigerclawfoundation.org/) for more information. You'll find a link to the application, as well as the promotional flyer, on the top of our home page now. The deadline for application is JUNE 19, 2006, so if you're interested, act NOW!

[GeneChing]

I had to do a lot of merges this morning to put out a flame war. Now I'm merging more, just because.

I heard from one of the promoters from the Piacente Group. There's been some response, but not overwhelming. If you're at all interested in this, you should move on it now. You could be training at Shaolin on some crazy Shenzhen TV reality show. If I didn't have so many commitments here (and wasn't so horribly out-of-shape) I'd be all over this. Go to www.TigerClawFoundation.org for more.

[BoulderDawg]

I would love to apply...however I can't jump up on top of a building nor can I jump between tree to tree and change directions in mid air!:D

[GeneChing]

...you might not win, but you could be the next William Hung.

[GeneChing]

Go to www.tigerclawfoundation.org for details! Come on now. One of you has got to be the Shaolin William Hung...;)

[kungfudork]

i want to be the next william hung, so i am going to enter.

thanks bro!

[GeneChing]

Go for it, bro! :D
It's not that much effort to apply and who knows?

[GeneChing]

www.kstarinternational.com (http://www.kstarinternational.com/)

[David Jamieson]

Iwonder why they aren't doing an american idol type audition tour.
It say's international, but it cuts out a huge number of people who may be better than good but can't afford the trip to LA.

too bad, I would have happily jumped, twirled and beaten the snot out of some lacky.

oh well....

:p

[GeneChing]

They are supposed to be holding qualifiers in many different countries around the world. This one is just for America. Oh, and that other country north of America too, they can come too I think, if they aren't having their own. I haven't heard of the other competitions in other countries yet, so I'm still not exactly sure about the full scope of the project.

BTW, I must say I'm disappointed by our Canadian membership for not discussing the recent changes in Canada's NGB. Sure, sure, it's wushu, *not traditional*, but interesting nonetheless.

[SimonM]

Uh... don't know aught about it. Perhaps you could elucidate me vis these changes...

[doug maverick]

just wanted to just give a breath shout out, to jerry liau one of my fight choreagraphers for my company Under The Gun LLC(movie coming real real soon), jerry resently, sent in his demo tape to the shaolin reality show thingy and he got approved for the hollywood try outs. the kids only 17 and is very impressive not just in martial arts but in his choreagraphy style, those of you(shaolin lueb) who've worked with him know what i'm talking about. so here's hoping he wins.

[jethro]

keep up us updated on the thingy.

[Lokhopkuen]

Hey is anyone going to the K-star event tomorrow and Saturday? I have four students competing and I will perform in the Master's Demonstration. (yikes!)
If you are going let me know so we can say hello. Gene you going?
They are have a big ritzy titzy to do at Yamashiro Restaurant Friday night so paaaarty!
Haaaaaay!

[GeneChing]

...unfortunately I had other commitments this weekend so I couldn't go. But Gigi Oh, our publisher, and her son Johnny will be there. Sorry I'll miss you. Tell Gigi she should have flown me out for the day ;)

[ShaoliNeophyte]

What time are the events today and tomorrow? I'm trying to get ahold of tickets to go check it out, but apparently there are only standby seats available. It's in City of Industry right? That's close enough to me that I may just show up and try to get in. Anyone know what studio it is at?

Thanks

[Lokhopkuen]

Hey guys had a great first day at K-star! I sucked in the MASTER'S demo! But let's face it, I ain't a master..... This getting Old Thing Sucks....

http://www.harmoniousfist.com/kstar.html

ShaoliNeophyte ask for me and I will walk you in.

Kisu

[Lokhopkuen]

More K-Star Pictures from the reception.
http://www.harmoniousfist.com/kstar2.html

Enjoy

Cute girls Gene you missed out. Johnny Oh says Haaaay!!

[GeneChing]

Gigi just gave me the big ringdown on the event. Sounds like I missed a good one. Dang.

Here's the official KSTAR site - it's only in Chinese, I'm afraid but that's what babelfish is for...
KSTAR (http://www.kstar.cc/)

[Lokhopkuen]

Hey I posted some videos of our guys here:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=12486492CA33332B

Peace

[lunghushan]

Some goings on in China to determine the world's #1 Kung Fu master.

My only question is ... is there any fighting, or is it just wushu forms?

http://www.cnn.com/interactive/world/0609/gallery.kung.fu/frameset.exclude.html

[Faruq]

That should spark more tourism, and more money to help local merchants survive.

[qiphlow]

final fu for chinese tv???

[lkfmdc]

where there are no slaves, there are no masters...

[David Jamieson]

where there are no slaves, there are no masters...

lol.

no zen lessons, that's a kung an many a ma student ain't ready for.

[GeneChing]

We've been discussing this on our Shaolin forum (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39272). Since it's going on now, I'll let this thread simmer here on the main forum for a spell, and then merge it with our K-STAR thread later.

[lunghushan]

That was back in July. Is this thing every couple of months or something?

[cjurakpt]

where there are no slaves, there are no masters...

who's the master now?

[planetwc]

who's the master now?

Sho Nuff
:D

[GeneChing]

lunghushan, that question earned you a tiny preview of my upcoming article on K-Star.

K-Star has been running on China TV since April 2006. It has become one of the most popular TV shows for the most populated nation in the world, with an estimated 300 million viewers. I actually wrote the whole **** thing already, but now it looks like we'll be able to get the results, I'll rewrite it when its all over.

[lunghushan]

Thanks, Gene.

WOW ... 300 MILLION VIEWERS??? That's like the entire U.S.!!!

[BruceSteveRoy]

any chance they are going to release the seasons of this show on dvd/vcd?

[Faruq]

It won't be any better than final fu.

[lunghushan]

I was talking about this over the weekend, the fact that China is promoting Shaolin, with an older Chinese gentleman.

He said that the Chinese government learned from Falun Gong and these other groups (Catholic) and all that, and basically decided that they want to promote Shaolin and Buddhism as the 'most approved' religion, so to speak, without cult or external influences, where they can keep a handle on it.

Because they learned that in a religious vacuum, the people in China will want some sort of religion, so they think it is safest to promote Shaolin and Buddhism.

So this entire Shaolin thing is evidently much more than just a reality show.

[Faruq]

In fact, I'd venture to say that if the winner isn't a master from Canton, Shanghai or Hong Kong-we all know it's fake and just to drum up more tourism.

[lunghushan]

In fact, I'd venture to say that if the winner isn't a master from Canton, Shanghai or Hong Kong-we all know it's fake and just to drum up more tourism.

No, evidently it is much, much more. They had the cultural revolution where they tried to wipe out culture, then they allowed more of a market economy and like 5 state ok'ed religions, but there was a large cult following.

So they are now promoting Shaolin and Buddhism to the masses. To this show is much more than just a martial arts reality show.

[omarthefish]

In fact, I'd venture to say that if the winner isn't a master from Canton, Shanghai or Hong Kong-we all know it's fake and just to drum up more tourism.

That statement is incredibly ignorant about about the state of MA in China today, what happened during the Culural revolution and is generaly just reflective of a kind of rabid blind prejudice that really annoys me.

Do a little homework first on what regions of China has tended to produce the most fighters and why you have this idea that the only good stuff is in Shanghai or Guangzhou/Hong Kong. Then realize that IF this is a fighting tournament, it will be under Sanda rules and then do some research on what areas tend to put out reall good Sanda fighters. I'll give you a clue, it's not down south.

[David Jamieson]

omar- is this really a fighting tournament?

all the stuff I've seen on youtube indicates it is a forms show. i haven't seen any san shou stuff...yet. you got any links to that aspect?

thanks

[omarthefish]

I dunno. I said "if".

I don't know what tournament this thing is reffering to. It kind of sounds like the Wulingfeng thing which IS like American Idol but for MA. On THAT program it's amateur Sanda intersperced with little film "tests" where the fighter will actually have to act in a 3 minute wushu movie/TV bit but the core of the program is leitai fights. That program is also based in Henan and I think you may have read about it in regards to that Zhaobao Taiji guy from Xi'an who has been doing really well on it lately.

From the link, which is CNN.com, I can't tell what local event it is. I really just meant ot comment on the mis-conception that Guangzhou is some sort of martial arts center of the universe...er...I mean China. Shanghai is pretty know for that sort of thing. Guangzhou is only know for, well, southern stuff. What would you expect? But in terms of martial arts centers in China, Guangzhou just isn't that famous. Things get out of proportion because the movie industry is/was based in Hong Kong so southern arts get disproportionate representation in the pop culture. Shangai is the second film center after Hong Kong. Both are extra special famous for organized crime so you get even more "martial arts mystery" on that angle. But if you just look at the competitive circuit and the non-film history, a different picture emerges.

[TenTigers]

well, since Wu-Shu was introduced to bring the nation together, you know, all that Communist red book, flag waving stuff, and many people were buying into Falun Gong, PLUS the popularity of the Shaolin Temple, it is the perfect plan.
Take one part-if ya can't beat'em, join'em, mentality,
add two parts Buddhism and Wu-Shu,
mix in with Shaolin Temple
stir briskly while adding national pride, flag waving
pour immediately over serving dish of populace
et, voila! Problem solved.

[GeneChing]

...modern wushu is collapsing because the Olympic bid failed. Many longtime supporters - former wushu champions - are speaking out against nandu. You 'traditionalists' who have been bashing PRC and modern wushu are way behind the times. Things are changing rapidly due to the failed Olympic bid. That failure may have been the best thing to happen to TCMA in our generation. Time to subscribe. (http://www.martialartsmart.net/19341.html) ;)

As for K-STAR, there is a sparring component, but that's not the emphasis. But omarthefish nailed it - it's really more like American Idol. There's even some way to vote for your favorites via the net, I think. The show has undergone many permutations as it was developed, but now it's primary intention is to find the next martial arts film star. So sparring is a factor, but there's more emphasis on forms, choreography and especially camera presence. The competitors need to show other skills like singing, dancing and such. It's different for Chinese celebrities - remember Jackie Chan has an extensive singing career and Bruce Lee was a dance champion. You can't just be an ex-fighter like Norris or whatever Seagal and Van Damme were.

[GeneChing]

Here's the online voting site for K-STAR. (http://my.u-vv.com/vote/list.do?place=1) I've been rooting for Jack Tu because he's a friend of mine. He's the son of the Iron Crotch (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39311). We did an article on him in our 2005 November/December issue (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=624) - Is Wushu a Dying Art? - Champion Jack Tu Speaks Out By John Brown.

[brothernumber9]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is 'nandu'? That is, what generic flavor or styles are lumped into it?

[Faruq]

Oh, I wasn't talking about Sanda, I was talking about gong fu. LOL. And I had heard that all the good people that weren't killed fled to places like Hong Kong, the U.S. and Canada. But I was being facetious. I see I didn't put my 'LOL' after my statement.



That statement is incredibly ignorant about about the state of MA in China today, what happened during the Culural revolution and is generaly just reflective of a kind of rabid blind prejudice that really annoys me.

Do a little homework first on what regions of China has tended to produce the most fighters and why you have this idea that the only good stuff is in Shanghai or Guangzhou/Hong Kong. Then realize that IF this is a fighting tournament, it will be under Sanda rules and then do some research on what areas tend to put out reall good Sanda fighters. I'll give you a clue, it's not down south.

[Shaolinlueb]

In fact, I'd venture to say that if the winner isn't a master from Canton, Shanghai or Hong Kong-we all know it's fake and just to drum up more tourism.

they could be from malayasia or singapore. china isnt the only place with chinese :rolleyes:

[Shaolinlueb]

nandu are the difficulty rules for modern wushu. and involve jumps and balancing acts.

[omarthefish]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is 'nandu'? That is, what generic flavor or styles are lumped into it?

No. That just means "difficult moves". It refers to added flips, half axels, front flip landing on one foot etc. Stuff that was added to forms to demonstrate "high difficulty" and are basically just gymnastics. They were calling them "nandu" (literally: difficult level) moves. For the olympic wushu that was being proposed they had a scoring system that included bonuses for including these moves.


Oh, I wasn't talking about Sanda, I was talking about gong fu. LOL. And I had heard that all the good people that weren't killed fled to places like Hong Kong, the U.S. and Canada. But I was being facetious. I see I didn't put my 'LOL' after my statement.

Ok. Then just tone town my post about 3 notches but I'd actually still correct you on the history. Much of that DID happen but not NEARLY to the degree that is described by those from those areas that are suppoesdly the only areas with real stuff and I am not just refering to Sanda either. Sanda fighters often come from the same areas as traditional fighters becaues the people just tend to be tougher there. You get a lot of Sanda and Shuai Jiao people coming from Mongolia for instance. Mongolians tend to be bigger and stronger than your average Han Chinese. They really love their shuai jiao too. No real flight of Shuai Jiao people as a result of the political upheaval. Different cultural context. The other place I was alluding to is Shandong, up in the northeast. Again, people tend to be taller, harder drinking, rougher etc. in that regiond. Some hard core fighters from that area. Hebei is the home of Baji and Pigua and heavily Hui. The Hui really love their fighting. Lot's of Hui here in Xi'an. That's why you have to much good Tongbei around here. Cangzhou (in Hebei) is mostly known for Baji and Pigua. Let's not forget Beijing.

It's not just film that warps the perception of where great martial artists come from. It's also simply the ability of people to leave. Most Chinese immigrants come from Hong Kong because....it's no big deal to leave Hong Kong. Then you get a lot from Guangzhou because that is a coastal city and also probably the richest province in all of China so those people can afford to leave. Shanghai has a similar situation. Very international even back in the Republican era. If you wanted to flee China, your best chance would be through Shanghai or Guagzhou. I bet some of those old masters who fled from those areas really did feel like "everyone was leaving". But if you were just a **** peasant somewhere in Guangzhou.....

No one was going anywhere.

In Xi'an it turns out there was a huge INflux of martial arts activity during the 50's and early 60's. My Shiye, Zhang Xiangwu, was a mid level general for the KMT. When the communists took over they didn't execute him. They relocated him and he of course had to retire from the military. He retired in Xi'an where he took up teaching MA privately. My own teacher "cut his teeth" fighting during the cultural revolution. Lots of street violence around Xi'an in those days. We can also "thank" the cultural revolution for all the excellent Chen style in Xi'an. It has even been called by some a "second Chen Village". Again, this was due to some of the forced relocations. Some really good people from Henan ended up in Xi'an.

Shanghai remains a center of traditional arts as does Beijing and Shanghai. I am not convinced Guangzhou has particularly much but Hong Kong sure does.

Anyways, the only people who fled the country were those with enough wealth and influence to do so. Martial artists are not known for being especially wealthy or influential.

[GeneChing]

A lot of people forget that financial point you make at the end of your last post. It's an important one. I think even more people miss why the Cultural Revolution even started. China didn't destroy itself because commies are evil. It destroyed itself because the nation was on the brink of disaster. Preceding the CR was the three hard years, a horrific period of drought complicated by a population explosion. Countless people starved to death. Revolutions happen when people are hungry.

Nandu wasn't only proposed. It's been implemented. It's been a significant factor in international wushu competitions. You'll have to check out our next issue, the NOV DEC 2006, because we tackle the implications head on. Time to subscribe (http://www.martialartsmart.net/19341.html). ;)


BTW, I've taken up monitoring Jack Tu's progress on his dad's thread in our media forum (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39311&page=3).

[lunghushan]

A lot of people forget that financial point you make at the end of your last post. It's an important one. I think even more people miss why the Cultural Revolution even started. China didn't destroy itself because commies are evil. It destroyed itself because the nation was on the brink of disaster.

It destroyed itself because the nation was on the brink of disaster because commies are evil. Not exactly commies, but the commies running the govt. over there. As everybody always points out, those are socialist nations, not communist, and the only true communes existing are the kibbutz or something.

Anyway, I'm not sure how destroying culture and temples would help them with the food problem. The entire thing happened not just because of the drought, but because of Mao's social engineering programs, relocating city people to the country and all the other stupid stuff they did.

[GeneChing]

I suggest you do some research on China and the precursors to the Cultural Revolution. It's not as simple as evil commies. Try starting with the 'three hard years'.

This thread fell off the main page, so I've moved it and merged it with this one.

[SimonM]

The thing that you have to get is that it's not that destroying temples and denegrating academics will help people who are starving. However these actions were nothing to do with Marxist or even Maoist ideology. Read through Marx and I challenge you to find something saying that intellectualism is inherently bad. Rather they were people trying to simultaneously distract themselves from their problems and to find somebody to blame.

If you went over to China you wouldn't hear much about the CR but you certainly wouldn't hear ANYTHING good about it.

[lunghushan]

I suggest you do some research on China and the precursors to the Cultural Revolution. It's not as simple as evil commies. Try starting with the 'three hard years'.

This thread fell off the main page, so I've moved it and merged it with this one.

Yeah, you are right. You can't really blame the stupidity of the entire human race on a few people.

I guess it is to blame of the stupidity of the human race->evil commies->Mao.

[GeneChing]

I posted the results here. (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?p=710296#post710296) Overall, the show was a smash hit in China, apparently. They will probably do another.

[Ray Pina]

I sent them some fight footage in the spring and I was invited out to California to attent the trials but it was last minute, and I would have had to pay for flight and hotel and I couldn't get off work.... they also wanted you to do form and applications.... they made it very clear there would be no contact. No actual comparing of usuable skill.

This disapointed me, because how do you compete with the level of martial arts already available on TV (TUF) by showing Wushu... it will only make KUng Fu look rediculous.

[GeneChing]

The show was intent on discovering new martial arts talent for movies. This was not about who was the best fighter at all. That was clear from the outset. The competitors had to have movie star charisma. They had to show all kinds of talents, not just martial arts, but music, painting, dance, singing, other unique skills that are needed to be a Chinese celebrity. In that regard, it was akin to a beauty pageant. They did do some sparring, but that was only one facet, and I think that was more to test their character then to determine who had the best fighting skills. The competitors just needed to be competant sparring guys. They weren't looking for the next sanshou or MMA champ. Sandawang was all about fighting. This was more about showmanship.

If you expected to fight your way in, Ray, I think you misread the nature of this competition. Did you submit a talent?

[wr2]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0clfM7kO80

ending credits and video montage from the 2006 K-STAR televised martial arts competition. Where 36 Martial Artists chosen from over 100,000 applicants from across the globe compete in the largest scale reality produced TV show in China co-sponsered by the Shaolin Temple.

Sorry Gene i accidently deleted my other post =[ Could you bring it back? Haha

[GeneChing]

Unfortunately, once a thread is deleted here, it's gone for good.

There's a pic of you in our upcoming issue (Jan/Feb 2007, on stands in the next week or so). We have a short article in that issue covering K-Star. That must have been quite an experience to be part of - truly extraordinary.

BTW, I noticed some gettyimages (http://creative.gettyimages.com)watermarks in your little youtube video. Why were those watermarks there? Didn't you clear them with getty?

[GeneChing]

I was going to find an Olympic Wushu thread, but I got lazy, so I'm posting this here.


Olympic dream kicking at school of hard knocks (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/2008/2006-11/21/content_738485.htm)
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-11-21 09:19

Lu Jinming felt like he had been kicked in the guts when he heard that martial art wushu would not be a demonstration sport at the Beijing 2008 Games.

"We are still very hopeful of it becoming an Olympic item," Lu sighed, as he studied 10-year-olds brandishing swords and launching flying kicks metres away from him.

"But unfortunately the decision is out of our hands."

As a senior coach at Beijing's prestigious Shichahai Sports School, Lu has championed wushu -- both a contact and exhibition sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts -- for decades and watched graduates mount podiums from regional championships right up to the Asian Games.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), however, loath to endorse more than 28 sports at the Summer Games after years of expansion, have slammed the door shut on wushu for Beijing.

An international wushu tournament is scheduled for 2008 but it will lack the demonstration status that Korean martial art taekwondo enjoyed at the 1988 and 1992 Olympics on its way to becoming a full sport at the Sydney 2000 Games.

With an estimated 60-80 million participants in China alone, the problem is not that wushu is too much of a fringe sport for an Olympic club that welcomes beach volleyball and BMX cycling at Beijing 2008.

It was rather that wushu's highly technical nature might baffle some audiences, Lu said.

"For most foreigners, the spirit and culture of wushu is hard to understand," Lu said.

BAFFLING ROUTINES

Watching Lu's 16-year-old prodigy Zhang Fan perform a "Taolu" routine is a case in point.

After one-and-a-half minutes of leaping, spinning kicks and blood-curdling roars, Zhang left the training floor panting, making way for a spear-wielding trainee.

Taolu wushu is the Chinese answer to floor gymnastics, with athletes performing choreographed routines but with kicks, punches and weapons rather than flips, ribbons and balls.

Zhang's highly watchable performance is nonetheless difficult to judge.

A routine's elegance, flow and difficulty -- even the expressions and roars of the performers -- make up the final score.

"In all aspects I want to do well, the thing I most fear is laziness," Zhang, Beijing champion for his age group, said.

Zhang wants to take on the world and beat it. He wants to join the cream of Shichahai's alumni -- an elite group that includes Olympic table tennis gold medallist Zhang Yining and Athens Games taekwondo champion Luo Wei.

Ironically, Zhang may have a better shot at Hollywood stardom than a podium finish at the Olympic Games.

Wushu skills may not be appreciated by Olympic audiences but Western movie-goers watch them regularly in kung fu movies.

MOVIE SCREENS

Global box office smashes such as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", and Zhang Yimou's "Hero" have put wushu techniques on western screens and taken its masters to Hollywood.

Shichahai's most famous wushu graduate was a driven youngster called Li Lianjie, a wushu world champion before he went to Hollywood to be reborn as Jet Li.

"He was so focused, so full of energy...and very clever," coach Lu said.

Zhang is also a fan but more for Li's legacy than his movies.

"Because of Jet Li, the world knows wushu," he said solemnly.

It may be some time before Beijing's wushu team produces another superstar of Li's calibre, but China's Shaolin Temple is fast-tracking the process -- via reality television.

Shaolin monks have teamed up with a Chinese production company to create "Legend of the Shaolin Monk Warrior" -- a show aimed at unearthing the next martial arts hero.

Masters from across China and the world will battle each other for a shot at Hollywood stardom, local media have reported.

Frowning, coach Lu admitted that he had not heard of "Legend".

"Well, we do things differently to the Shaolin Temple," he said. "But it would certainly be a great way to promote the school and wushu."

[wr2]

For those of you who don't know Kungfu magazine wrote an article for their shaolin issue about China's K-STAR Martial Arts contest...


On March 30th 2006, Shenzhen Satellite Television together with the Shaolin Temple, declared the official start of the First "Chinese K-STAR" Global TV Contest.

The contest would be the largest and first contest on such a global scale ever produced by China. It's aim, to search for potential Kungfu stars globally to find a new spokesperson of Chinese Kungfu for new generations.

After a half-year process of searching and eliminating over 100,000 applicants from six contest divisions in China (Shenzhen, Zhengzhou, Shengyang, Chengdu, Shanghai, and Beijing) and six overseas contest divisions (North America, Germany, Russia, Italy, France and Australia) the top 3 contest division winners would emerge to compete in the World Final Competition.

In September of 2006, 36 Kungfu practitioners from abroad would arrive in Shenzhen and began a tour of China's cities and media stations to give performances and face eliminations.

The contest would begin after two-weeks of closed door training and zen studies at the birthplace of the martial arts... The 1,500 year old Shaolin Temple

blah, blah, blah
I brought you guys some video from the comp (Chinese Language Only) ^_^

K-STAR Shaolin Temple Seclusion (Part 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcY8fr-JuOo

K-STAR Shaolin Temple Seclusion & 18 Lohan Perform (Part 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9s9L50FnUQ

[wr2]

For those of you who don't know Kungfu magazine wrote an article for their shaolin issue about China's K-STAR Martial Arts contest...


On March 30th 2006, Shenzhen Satellite Television together with the Shaolin Temple, declared the official start of the First "Chinese K-STAR" Global TV Contest.

The contest would be the largest and first contest on such a global scale ever produced by China. It's aim, to search for potential Kungfu stars globally to find a new spokesperson of Chinese Kungfu for new generations.

After a half-year process of searching and eliminating over 100,000 applicants from six contest divisions in China (Shenzhen, Zhengzhou, Shengyang, Chengdu, Shanghai, and Beijing) and six overseas contest divisions (North America, Germany, Russia, Italy, France and Australia) the top 3 contest division winners would emerge to compete in the World Final Competition.

In September of 2006, 36 Kungfu practitioners from abroad would arrive in Shenzhen and began a tour of China's cities and media stations to give performances and face eliminations.

The contest would begin after two-weeks of closed door training and zen studies at the birthplace of the martial arts... The 1,500 year old Shaolin Temple

blah, blah, blah
I brought you guys some video from the comp (Chinese Language Only) ^_^

K-STAR Shaolin Temple Seclusion (Part 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcY8fr-JuOo

K-STAR Shaolin Temple Seclusion & 18 Lohan Perform (Part 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9s9L50FnUQ

[Aussie SHaolin]

Hi All


Just wondering if anyone has heard about this in thier neck of the woods? if so anyone going to have a go?

:confused:

[Aussie SHaolin]

Hi All


Just wondering if anyone has heard about this in thier neck of the woods? if so anyone going to have a go?

:confused:

[Oso]

No.

wtf is it?

[SanHeChuan]

It's like American idol but in China and with wushu dudes.

[Oso]

that's just gross.

[GeneChing]

I've just heard from Shaolin Temple and they confirmed that they are doing it, along with a lot of other projects. Not sure about American auditions or anything like that. Not many details yet. There was a rumor that it was going to focus on female competitors this time, but that's just a rumor and it'd be curious to see how that played out within the temple walls. K-Star will definitely be competing with Jackie Chan's Disciples (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?p=768552#post768552) this year.

I'm still waiting to see more the movie production that was supposed to come outof last year's contest.

See our K-Star 2006 thread here. (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39272)

[Shaolinlueb]

i would do it if my ankle didnt get all ****ed up. :(

[Mega-Foot]

I'd like to give it a go. Will they allow partner work? Shao-lin Ninjitsu is really hard to display unless you're disemboweling someone, or decapitating something. Are their animal cruelty laws as stringent as those that are in place in America?

I'm thinking I could do something with a llama or a goat, perhaps.

[GeneChing]

I'll see if Shaolin has heard anything more. They brought up K-Star with me a couple of weeks ago, but things like this are always subject to change in PRC.

[bodhitree]

I'd like to give it a go. Will they allow partner work? Shao-lin Ninjitsu is really hard to display unless you're disemboweling someone, or decapitating something. Are their animal cruelty laws as stringent as those that are in place in America?

I'm thinking I could do something with a llama or a goat, perhaps.


It's Australia man, get a **** dingo or kangaroo

[GeneChing]

Shaolin Temple together with China & Shenzhen Satellite TV is currently working on their 2nd season reality show called K-Star, short for Global Chinese Kung Fu Star TV Competition. The aim of such contest is in search of a new Kung Fu Star in the U.S. Any race is welcomed.

Anyone who practices any form of kung fu or martial arts can take part. The chosen candidates from the participated regions around the world will get a chance to train in the Shaolin Temple before the final rounds. The whole process and the Grand Championship Finals will be made as a TV program.

If you are an US citizen over 18 years of age, female or male, any race, and think you have what it takes to be the next Kung Fu Superstar we want you on board! We are now accepting applications. All applications must be received on or before Aug 22, 2007. We will screen the applications and invite selected applicants to come for an audition. The U.S.A. audition will take place in Los Angeles, California on August 25 and 26.

To obtain an application form, please contact Shelley via email
kstar_audition@tvbusa.com

[SaintSage]

Shaolin Temple together with China & Shenzhen Satellite TV is currently working on their 2nd season reality show called K-Star, short for Global Chinese Kung Fu Star TV Competition. The aim of such contest is in search of a new Kung Fu Star in the U.S. Any race is welcomed.

Anyone who practices any form of kung fu or martial arts can take part. The chosen candidates from the participated regions around the world will get a chance to train in the Shaolin Temple before the final rounds. The whole process and the Grand Championship Finals will be made as a TV program.

If you are an US citizen over 18 years of age, female or male, any race, and think you have what it takes to be the next Kung Fu Superstar we want you on board! We are now accepting applications. All applications must be received on or before Aug 22, 2007. We will screen the applications and invite selected applicants to come for an audition. The U.S.A. audition will take place in Los Angeles, California on August 25 and 26.

To obtain an application form, please contact Shelley via email
kstar_audition@tvbusa.com

Hrm, I can act, I do Korean Martial Arts, and I'm a little chubby.

I'm out!

(Forget about Sammo Hung, he's the exception that made the rule about big guys...)

[SPJ]

http://you.video.sina.com.cn/b/7394173-1290055681.html

:D:)

[SPJ]

talking about entertainment extravaganza.

the clip showed 6 finalists (heros)

kung Fu + talent/singing or playing music.

2 min open hand form.

2 min weapon form.

judges and votes from 100 people in the audiences.

:eek::confused::D

[SPJ]

http://you.video.sina.com.cn/b/6467478-1290055681.html

prescreening for the TV show.

http://you.video.sina.com.cn/b/7263138-1316216270.html

Wu Bing and Donnie Yan are among the judges.

Donnie said he selected the finalists by "camera face".

--

[SPJ]

http://you.video.sina.com.cn/b/7394184-1290055681.html

the final round of competition.

the competitor had to pick a fight scene out of 3 movies and acted on it for a min with a partner.

--

after 2 months of "competition",

the female champ is #11 Li Ya Jun (6 votes from 7 judges)

the male champ is #10 Meng Fei (6/7).

:)

[SPJ]

http://you.video.sina.com.cn/b/1625674-1476102530.html

special technique show.

[SPJ]

http://you.video.sina.com.cn/b/7263338-1316216270.html

The TV show producer said, the competition is coupled with a theme show each nite.

1. seven swordsmen went down the heavenly mountain/Tian shan.

2. crouching tiger hidden dragon.

3. ambush at 10 fronts

4. myths.

5. hero.

:)

[SPJ]

http://you.video.sina.com.cn/b/7376265-1290055681.html

I like this one.

"ambush at 10 fronts".

Zhu Ba Wang was surrounded by Hang Xing.

There was no way out. He killed himself near the wu river.

however, there were 7 generals left and they fought their way out.

--

:D

[GeneChing]

K-STAR TEAM TAKES 1ST IN 10 EVENTS DURING THE SHAOLIN KUNG FU ONLINE GAMES (https://www.kstarlv.com/so/1dNzd-nys?languageTag=en&cid=700b5444-62cb-4eba-9574-a5e0edd5fb42&fbclid=IwAR3tn0RudHv6g2kG1lDa3UBcbOQ4GOI7Hi3G_Twc-VSCGxvCkzgaiRHSSWQ#/main)

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/de6131_c21498f439e74dce8596788eb15922c1~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_700,h_2000,al_c,q_85/image.png

Members of our K-STAR Training Academy Martial Arts Team recently took part in the World Shaolin Kung Fu Online Games 2022, a virtual Kung Fu Competition hosted by China's Shaolin Temple. The event took place from February 9th to 15th, 2022 attracting total of 5,368 Competitors from 94 countries and regions greater China (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan), North America, South America, Asia/ Oceania, Europe/ Africa) who participated in the event, reflecting the love and popularity of Kung Fu shared by practitioners all around the globe.

After a week of judging, a panel made of Shaolin Monks, Martial Arts Experts and Volunteers finished tallying up the scores and posted results of the Online Competition to the Temple's Official Website on March 4th, 2022. Notably K-STAR Training Academy's six athletes finished with an outstanding 10 First Places in 10 events! We couldn't be happier about the result and look forward to continue developing our Martial Arts Team for future events!

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/de6131_a217783a018647aa8673d3c6b22fd9b5~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_700,h_2000,al_c,q_85/image.jpg

The Shaolin Temple is renowned the world over for their contributions to the Martial Arts and Zen Philosophy over a span of 1,500 years. The Temple which was first constructed in the year 495 A.D. is synonymous with development Shaolin Kung Fu and is the historic birthplace of Zen Buddhism.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF0c1OT1jeU

The Shaolin Kung Fu Online Games received much support from celebrities and Martial Arts enthusiasts alike. According to Chinese search engine Baidu, there was a daily peak of 320,000 impressions of the Kung Fu Online Games and over 1.6 Million People watched the competitions live stream. Globally, the event was covered in more than 80 countries and regions to a total of 1,663 news outlets outside of China.

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/de6131_7253c9002da948c79ab629830070df8d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_700,h_2000,al_c,q_85/image.jpg

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/de6131_e80509b277f94389b96ed217aac82791~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_700,h_2000,al_c,q_85/image.jpg

Each Member of K-STAR Martial Arts Team received outstanding scores in their respective events. Notably, Coach Sebastian Castellanos (8.74 for Pao Quan) and Angela Davaadorj (8.62 for Luohan Quan 2) were the highest scores.

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/de6131_4d531e5688b94051aad6988af36ae7c2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_700,h_2000,al_c,q_85/image.jpg

threads
World-Shaolin-Kung-Fu-Online-Contest (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?72227-World-Shaolin-Kung-Fu-Online-Contest)
Shaolin-s-K-Star (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?72278-Shaolin-s-K-Star)