Tai Chi Master (太極張ä¸Âè±Â) is a classic Rediffusion Television series aired in Hong Kong in 1980. The series helped boost the popularity of Rediffusion TV right before the station was converting over to become ATV. Numerous sequels and spawns have followed since its release. (such as Tai Chi Master 2 éÂÂä¿ å¼µä¸Âè±Â.)
The story revolves around Yuan-bo (Alex Man) who starts off as a young monk from Shaolin temple with some knowledge of tai chi. He soon meets general Chang Yuchun and become a student of To Cek-lun (é¶ç³éºÂ). Yuan-bo falls in love with his daughter To Choi-yi (é¶綵衣). A number of adversaries later tried to kill Yuan-bo. He can only fight them off by becoming the supreme Taoist Tai chi master.
The series being a classic helped Alex Man and Michelle Yim extend their popularity well into the 1980s era. Most memorable was the opening song composed by Michael Lai (é»Âå°Âç°), lyrics written by Lou Gwok-zim (ç§åÂÂæ²¾) and sung by Johnny Yip (èÂÂæ¯棠). The song have since been re-released on numerous albums.
In Hong Kong the series would later spawn the 1981 direct sequel Taichi Master II starring Alex Man, Amy Chan and Leslie Cheung with a Chinese knight-errant theme. Another reproduction is Tai Chi Master the movie, starring Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh filmed more than a decade later using the same name.