Kim Dung, one of the most prominent writers of martial arts fiction in China, has left a deep and lasting impact on the hearts of readers through his classic works. He is regarded as one of the most influential novelists in the genre, and his works have been adapted into films countless times, creating a unique cultural phenomenon. Not only is he a literary figure, but Kim Dung is also a successful businessman who founded the Minh Bao newspaper and served as a screenwriter for the TrÆ°á»ng Thà nh film company. Because of this, he had the opportunity to interact with many individuals in the entertainment industry, with only seven individuals in his circle receiving his utmost praise regarding their beauty.
HÃ Má»™ng
Hà Má»™ng is an actress, film producer, and a legend in the film industry, often referred to as the “Audrey Hepburn of the East.” Hà Má»™ng is not only a stunning actress but also an endless source of inspiration for Kim Dung. Her beauty has led him to create numerous iconic female characters such as Tiểu Long Nữ, Hoà ng Dung, and VÆ°Æ¡ng Ngữ Yên in his works.
Kim Dung once stated that if Tây Thi were still alive, she would certainly be as beautiful as Hà Má»™ng. He dedicated several lines praising her beauty and referred to her as “the muse in his heart.” However, fate had its course, and Hà Má»™ng belonged to someone else, leaving Kim Dung with a bittersweet longing.
Tiểu Tưỡng
Born in 1968, Tiểu Tưỡng has made a significant mark in the hearts of audiences for over three decades in the film industry. She is recognized as one of the top actresses in Hong Kong cinema, especially famous for her roles in adaptations based on the works of the author Quỳnh Dao. With her graceful beauty and elegant demeanor, Tiểu Tưỡng was once considered a symbol of beauty in the entertainment industry, on par with notable names such as VÆ°Æ¡ng Tổ Hiá»n, Châu Huệ Mẫn.
Films such as Tiểu Lý Phi Äao, Bên Nhau NÆ¡i Chân Trá»i, Má»™t Thoáng Má»™ng MÆ¡ have contributed to her recognition, bringing her closer to the public. Kim Dung himself praised Tiểu Tưỡng’s beauty, stating, “I have created many beautiful characters through my pen, but beyond that, Tiểu Tưỡng’s beauty has transcended my imagination.”
Châu Tấn
The novel Anh Hùng Xạ Äiêu has been adapted into films multiple times, set in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Over time, many actresses have portrayed the character Hoà ng Dung and left lasting impressions on the audience, such as Mê Tuyết (1976), Ông Mục Linh (1983), Trần Ngá»c Liên (1988), Chu Ân (1994), Châu Tấn (2003), and Lâm Y Thần (2008), with the most recent version in 2017 featuring Lý Nhất Äồng. Among the seven actresses who played Hoà ng Dung, Kim Dung particularly praised Châu Tấn, describing her as one of the top representatives of Chinese beauty.
In an interview, when asked about his impressions of the actresses who played Hoà ng Dung, Kim Dung expressed particular fondness for both Ông Mục Linh (1983) and Châu Tấn (2003). He especially appreciated Châu Tấn for her vivid portrayal of Hoà ng Dung, who was both intelligent and charming. Kim Dung even remarked that Châu Tấn is the embodiment of Hoà ng Dung that he envisioned from his pages.
Lưu Diệc Phi
In 2002, at just 15 years old, LÆ°u Diệc Phi entered the entertainment industry and quickly became one of the brightest stars in Chinese cinema. From her early roles in classic films like Thiên Long Bát Bá»™, Tiên Kiếm Kỳ Hiệp, Thần Äiêu Äại Hiệp, she made a deep impression on the audience with her ethereal beauty. Although she was still quite young and lacked much experience, LÆ°u Diệc Phi successfully embodied the iconic characters such as VÆ°Æ¡ng Ngữ Yên, Triệu Linh Nhi, and Tiểu Long Nữ, solidifying her place in the entertainment industry.
During a meeting on the set of Thiên Long Bát Bá»™, LÆ°u Diệc Phi, at the age of 15, had a memorable moment with Kim Dung. When asking for an autograph, she received a special compliment from him: “Diệc Phi, you remind me of VÆ°Æ¡ng Ngữ Yên, a character I deeply cherish.”
Lý Gia Hân
Renowned as “the most beautiful Hong Kong beauty in history,” Lý Gia Hân is one of the successful beauty queens who stepped into the film industry. When casting for the role of Trình Linh Tố in Phi Hổ Ngoại Truyện, Kim Dung provided some divine suggestions. He felt that Lý Gia Hân’s radiant beauty was not suitable for the image of a common girl like Trình Linh Tố in the original work.
Instead, he suggested that Lý Gia Hân should play the role of Công chúa HÆ°Æ¡ng HÆ°Æ¡ng in ThÆ° Kiếm Ân Cừu Lục. With the description “a bloom that flourishes in the soul, a flower that blooms in the garden,” Lý Gia Hân would be perfectly suited to this character. Through this, it can be seen that Kim Dung highly valued Lý Gia Hân’s beauty and wished to see it embodied in his characters.
Châu Hải My
When the film Ỷ Thiên Äồ Long Ký 1994 aired, audiences were captivated by the perfect portrayal of Chu Chỉ Nhược by Châu Hải My, even overshadowing the character Diệp Äồng. Kim Dung himself was very fond of Châu Hải My and praised her performance alongside her beauty in Ỷ Thiên Äồ Long Ký.
Kim Dung also expressed his admiration for Châu Hải My’s performance and suggested a change to the original ending of the novel to give the character Chu Chỉ Nhược a more beautiful conclusion. The portrayal of Chu Chỉ Nhược not only elevated Châu Hải My’s status but also made her one of the most iconic characters in the hearts of the audience.
Lâm Thanh HÃ
With bright eyes, a high forehead, and fair skin, Lâm Thanh Hà was hailed in the 80s and 90s as the “fifty years of beauty” in Asia. Her beauty is not only charming but also exudes a strong, gender-neutral aura, making her the perfect choice for the role of Äô PhÆ°Æ¡ng Bất Bại. Even Kim Dung, the author of the novel Tiếu Ngạo Giang Hồ, had to acknowledge the unique beauty of Lâm Thanh Hà and praised her for this iconic role.
However, the decision to cast Từ Khắc to replace Lâm Thanh Hà in the role of Äô PhÆ°Æ¡ng Bất Bại strained their personal relationship. Despite this, Lâm Thanh Hà proved that she was perfectly suited for this role and became an enduring symbol in the film industry.
