The China Times reports, citing data from Nielsen Media, that the film Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons, starring Stephen Chow and directed by him in 2009, has been re-aired nearly 800 times, breaking the record for film viewings in Taiwan (China).
Furthermore, between 2014 and 2017, the film was also aired 234 times in Taiwan. According to 163, Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons is the most frequently re-aired masterpiece of Stephen Chow, not only in Taiwan but also in Hong Kong and mainland China. The audience, especially those from the ’80s and ’90s generation, still remembers many iconic lines from the movie.
Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons premiered in 1993 and immediately gained immense popularity in Hong Kong. The work was highly acclaimed for its rich comedic content and numerous memorable quotes. This was a significant work that marked the return of actress Shu Qi after many years away from the film industry. Notably, it featured the famous Chinese actor, Tony Leung, during his early career. However, this was the last collaboration between Tony Leung and Stephen Chow.
According to 163, initially, Stephen Chow wanted to cast actress Vicky Zhao as the main character, Hiu Hung, due to her rising fame from her role in Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre. However, Vicky Zhao had a high asking price and was busy, so she could not participate. Later, Hong Kong’s ‘King of Comedy’ sought to collaborate with actress Karen Mok, but her schedule did not allow for it either.
The production team introduced actress Karen Mok, who later collaborated with Stephen Chow in Kung Fu Hustle. However, Karen Mok did not participate in the main role but rather in a supporting role. In Stephen Chow’s films, she became one of the most recognizable voices. The male actor often requested that supporting characters be portrayed as ugly, creating a bizarre image to enhance the comedic effect, but Karen Mok, while attending the Golden Horse Awards in Venice, did not want to ruin the image of beauty in a comedy film.
Additionally, the character Hiu Hung was portrayed by a different actress due to the original actress’s unavailability. An actress with a suitable appearance did not fit Stephen Chow’s working style. Afterward, Karen Mok expressed her regret because when she was offered the role, she did not consider the potential impact, losing the opportunity due to her acting role. “If I had the chance to do it again, I would fully dedicate myself to the film,” Karen Mok said.
Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons is a highly successful work by Stephen Chow. The film has introduced characters and quotes that have become iconic, like the character NhÆ° Hoa played by Lý Kiến Nhân, or the character Chúc Chi SÆ¡n, who is infatuated with the female lead played by Trịnh Phỉ Phỉ. Furthermore, the daughters of these characters are also often referred to as “Tiểu CÆ°Æ¡ng,” echoing their roles in the film…
Stephen Chow is famously known as the King of Comedy in Hong Kong, an actor with a unique comedic style, often creating stories that seem unrelated but captivate audiences. Stephen Chow has often held the position of chief ticket seller whenever his films premiere in Hong Kong. His fame is not only recognized in Asia but is also beloved worldwide.
VÆ°ong Tinh production remarked: “Every year there seems to be a legendary figure like Stephen Chow.” All genres of Chinese entertainment are inspired by the legend of this talented actor.
