A real kick in the face
Beijing: China's martial arts monks are hoping to kick and punch the likes of American Idol / The Apprentice into touch. At least that's what the creators of a new reality TV show are hoping.
The Shaolin Temple, considered the cradle of Chinese martial arts, teamed up with a Chinese television station to launch a global kung fu reality show which will pick a kicking and punching equivalent of Idol champion Kelly Clarkson.
Any male age 18 or older with basic training in martial arts will be able to compete in competitions to be held in China and several other countries from May until September 30, when the winner will be picked in an internationally televised event in southern China's Shenzhen city.
"We hope foreigners will actively participate", (because we want their money: doc) Shi Yongxin, the temple abbot told reporters. "If a foreigner is selected as the winner, that will of course be good. That's even better. That means Chinese kung fu has become internationalized." (and we will get more of their money:doc).
Chinese kung fu has already been made popular around the world by stars such as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li.
But that's not enough, said the organisers, which include Shenzhen Media Group, operators of a TV station. The goal, they said, is to increase the appeal of kung fu by taking it to household viewers around the world." (and, then we can get their money too:doc).
"We lack a new generation of people to represent Chinese Kung Fu" (that's for sure:doc) said Fu Min, chief executive of Shaolin Temple Culture and Communications (Dengfeng), one of the show's creators. Organisers were quick to point out that they are not looking for an expert in the martial arts. The temple monks, who are trained in kung fu, are not allowed to participate.
"We want to choose a star that the public likes", Fu said. "His martial arts skills have to be at a certain level, but most importantly, people must like him".
Preliminary competitions will be held in countries including the US, Germany, and Australia.
Bangkok Post
Beijing: China's martial arts monks are hoping to kick and punch the likes of American Idol / The Apprentice into touch. At least that's what the creators of a new reality TV show are hoping.
The Shaolin Temple, considered the cradle of Chinese martial arts, teamed up with a Chinese television station to launch a global kung fu reality show which will pick a kicking and punching equivalent of Idol champion Kelly Clarkson.
Any male age 18 or older with basic training in martial arts will be able to compete in competitions to be held in China and several other countries from May until September 30, when the winner will be picked in an internationally televised event in southern China's Shenzhen city.
"We hope foreigners will actively participate", (because we want their money: doc) Shi Yongxin, the temple abbot told reporters. "If a foreigner is selected as the winner, that will of course be good. That's even better. That means Chinese kung fu has become internationalized." (and we will get more of their money:doc).
Chinese kung fu has already been made popular around the world by stars such as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li.
But that's not enough, said the organisers, which include Shenzhen Media Group, operators of a TV station. The goal, they said, is to increase the appeal of kung fu by taking it to household viewers around the world." (and, then we can get their money too:doc).
"We lack a new generation of people to represent Chinese Kung Fu" (that's for sure:doc) said Fu Min, chief executive of Shaolin Temple Culture and Communications (Dengfeng), one of the show's creators. Organisers were quick to point out that they are not looking for an expert in the martial arts. The temple monks, who are trained in kung fu, are not allowed to participate.
"We want to choose a star that the public likes", Fu said. "His martial arts skills have to be at a certain level, but most importantly, people must like him".
Preliminary competitions will be held in countries including the US, Germany, and Australia.
Bangkok Post
As opposed to some of the other stuff you've seen recently, during our April Fools marathon, this one is for real. However, they are not telling you everything.
The purpose of this television reality show, other than the obvious, in my opinion, of advertising the hell out of Shaolin for commercial purposes, is at this time, a bit of a secret.
If you read the article carefully, you'll notice a few things.
First, Shaolin has, for lack of better terms, a marketing department.
Second, Yongxin, who has already gone through the trademark nonsense, that we've discussed previously, now wants to attack the televsion market. The success of things such as the Apprentice, and, American Idol, no doubt is very appealing to him.
Third, and ironically, notice how Shaolin is being promoted as the cradle of martial arts, and not the birthplace of Chan Buddhism, which, as you probably don't remember, was one of Yongxin's main concerns when he appropriated the abbotship. Bringing Buddhism back to Shaolin, and getting rid of the older real martial arts masters, was his prime concern. I guess he figured out that Buddhism doesn't make as much money as martial arts in today's socieity.
Lastly, and most importantly, they're not looking for a martial arts expert. They make that pretty clear. They want someone, a male, and a foreigner, that the public finds to be "likeable". Interesting.
Well, I found it curious, so I investigated. My sources tell me that this is just a front for something far more expansive.
Shaolin Temple is in the process of making its own movie. And, they're looking for a person, a foreigner, to star in it. This is how they're doing it.
What depths Yongxin will bring the temple and its sacred history to in the next few years, in his quest for the almighty dollar, remains to be seen. But, this, well, this I personally find to be, repulsive and disgraceful. Yongxin is already not looked upon highly among his own people, because of his rather successful and sometimes brutal entrepreneurship. But, this, brings his infamy worldwide.
It will get more interesting. It always does.
doc
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