Category: Introductory Chinese

Donnie Yen-King of Kungfu in China

Donnie Yen-King of Kungfu in China Background: Born to a newspaper editor and a martial arts master, Donnie Yen(甄子丹Zhēn Zǐdān) began practising tai chi and wushu(武术wǔshù) at the age of four. At 16 he was sent to the Beijing Wushu Academy, where he studied under the master who taught Jet Li. Upon graduating he moved to Hong Kong and was discovered by action director Woo-ping Yen, the man responsible for making Jackie Chan a superstar. Success eluded Yen for a few years, until he made Once Upon A Time in China II in 1992, which paired him with Li in a fight scene that revolutionised the genre and is still widely regarded as one of the best ever committed to film. Less than 10 years later he was making films in Hollywood – Blade II.

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Wing chun of Yen

On mastering wing chun ‘I started learning wing chun as soon as I received script, and I shed more than 10 lbs(Latin=pounds) to match Ip’s slim figure. I also read many books on Ip and wing chun and I practised with wooden dummies every day in order to demonstrate wing chun properly. With a martial arts background I have no problem picking up wing chun. The hardest thing was to put aside everything I’ve learned and clear my mind for pure wing chun practice. This was really challenging, but I knew this was a must if I was to portray the essence of wing chun.’

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The early life of Yen

Donnie Yen(甄子丹Zhēn Zǐdān)'s mother, Bow-sim Mark, is a Fu Style Wudangquan and Tai Chi grandmaster, while his father, Klyster Yen, is a newspaper editor. Yen was born in Taishan, Guangdong, China. When he was two years old, his family moved to Hong Kong, and then to Boston, Massachusetts, United States, when he was 11. His younger sister, Chris Yen, is also a martial artist and actress, and appeared in the 2007 film Adventures of Johnny Tao: Rock Around the Dragon.

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