eNewMexican

Olivia Liang OF ‘KUNG FU’ ON THE CW

BY JAY BOBBIN

So much of “Kung Fu” expectedly involves physicality for you, did you know martial arts coming into the project?

I did not have any prior martial-arts training – thank goodness that was not a requirement from (executive producer) Christina (Kim) – but I have a background in dance, so once I came up here (to Vancouver) to train, I was able to at least pick up the choreography. Martial arts, and especially martial arts for film and TV, is very much a dance.

The training was brutal, and it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever put my body through. I’ve so much respect for martial artists. It is an incredible sport. It is an art form. It’s beautiful. Our stunt team has whipped me into shape, but I also have an amazing double who makes me look so cool.

What are your thoughts on the new “Kung Fu” arriving when news stories involving Asian Americans have been so prominent?

I think the timing of our show is really impeccable. So much about representation and inclusion is not so much that we, as Asians, need to see ourselves represented on the screens. But we need to be invited into homes of people who don’t see us in their everyday life, just to humanize us, normalize seeing us, and remind them that we are people just like they are and that we have a place in this world. Hopefully, having our show in their homes will expand that world view for them.

CELEBRITY Q&A

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2021-05-08T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-05-08T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://enewmexican.com/article/282170769024171

Santa Fe New Mexican