Ming-Na Wen has pretty much done it all. She’s starred in The Joy Luck Club, voiced a Disney princess, fought alongside Boba Fett, served as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., and even had a long, successful run on Grey’s Anatomy. In Karate Kid: Legends, Wen joins yet another blockbuster franchise and brings her trademark no-nonsense attitude and toughness to one of the toughest characters she’s ever played – a Chinese mom.
Wen plays Dr. Fong, the mother of Li Fong (Ben Wang), who is the titular “Karate Kid.” Fong is a successful doctor who moves with her son to the United States to take a new job in New York City. This sets the events of the film in motion, as Fong does not approve of her son fighting and wants a fresh start for their family.
I recently spoke with Wen, who has been a trailblazer and fierce advocate in Hollywood for Asian representation for years. We talked about her experience on how the industry has improved with regard to Asian roles, how she enjoyed playing the mother of Karate Kid: Legends star Ben Wang, and of course whether she could hold her own against martial arts icon Jackie Chan.
Karate Kid: Legends premieres May 30, 2025 in theaters.
About Karate Kid: Legends:
Karate Kid: Legends unites the iconic martial arts masters of one of the most beloved film franchises of all time to tell a completely new story full of action and heart. When kung fu prodigy Li Fong (Ben Wang) relocates to New York City with his mother to attend a prestigious new school, he finds solace in a new friendship with a classmate and her father. But his newfound peace is short-lived after he attracts unwanted attention from a formidable local karate champion. Driven by a desire to defend himself, Li embarks on a journey to enter the ultimate karate competition. Guided by the wisdom of his kung fu teacher, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), and the legendary Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), Li merges their unique styles to prepare for an epic martial arts showdown.
Ron is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of POC Culture. Â He is a big believer in the power and impact of pop culture and the importance of representation in media.
