Grace Under Fire is a 2011 Hong Kong martial arts television drama. It premiered on Hong Kong's TVB Jade and is slated to run for 32 episodes. It follows a fictional account of Mok Kwai-lan, the last wife of Chinese martial arts folk hero Wong Fei-hung. I would like to analyze the TV drama with several parts.
Shifting of power relationship from male to female
As the drama is about Wong Fei-hung, he is a Chinese martial artist, one of the Chinese iconic heroes. He is presented at the powerful one to protect others in most of the drama at past. But in this newest version, we can see that he is served as a Confucians, he seldom fight with other, no matter there is struggle, he always want to solve the problems without force. Also, he would judge with the illegal, crimes for every citizen in Guangzhou. The manner of Wong Fei-hung shows us the new form of male in the modern age. As we are living in a knowledge-based society, male can be refined and reasonable in solving problems. The TV drama presents indifference traditional image of male hero, we can see that the power is shifted from male to female unconsciously.
Besides Mok kwai-lan, the role of Kwai Fa (葵花) is also importance at the drama.
As she is a girlfriend of a Japanese, she does not served herself as the bad guy, it is because she can live better than before, it is not shy to do that. These characters are presented as the independent women, whom they know how to duel with every case, and they would not be scary when facing the difficulties.
Discussion on Heroism
Martial art is served as a weapon, it is double-edged. It can use to protect the important thing, for example, you can prevent to the bully. But it also empowers the aggressive, which people use it to maintain their status, fight with other for the capital. In the scene of Grace Under Fire, people physically defeat other persons, when there is struggle, martial art is a way to solve the problem. Martial artist is respected and dominant at that time. They are served as the heroes beyond the whole city. Besides, there is only the male master, but none of the female would practice the martial art. So, male is always the dominant status at the society, they have power and capital. Female is working for the family and hiding at home.
Martial art is served as a weapon, it is double-edged. It can use to protect the important thing, for example, you can prevent to the bully. But it also empowers the aggressive, which people use it to maintain their status, fight with other for the capital. In the scene of Grace Under Fire, people physically defeat other persons, when there is struggle, martial art is a way to solve the problem. Martial artist is respected and dominant at that time. They are served as the heroes beyond the whole city. Besides, there is only the male master, but none of the female would practice the martial art. So, male is always the dominant status at the society, they have power and capital. Female is working for the family and hiding at home.
Shifting of power relationship from male to female
As the drama is about Wong Fei-hung, he is a Chinese martial artist, one of the Chinese iconic heroes. He is presented at the powerful one to protect others in most of the drama at past. But in this newest version, we can see that he is served as a Confucians, he seldom fight with other, no matter there is struggle, he always want to solve the problems without force. Also, he would judge with the illegal, crimes for every citizen in Guangzhou. The manner of Wong Fei-hung shows us the new form of male in the modern age. As we are living in a knowledge-based society, male can be refined and reasonable in solving problems. The TV drama presents indifference traditional image of male hero, we can see that the power is shifted from male to female unconsciously.
Connotation of the drama ‘女拳’ 
The power of female is represented at most of the female characters. The drama is called ‘女拳’, it related to the main character, Mok Kwai-lan. Her character was tough. She stood strongly for what she believed in with reason. She did not put herself over anyone else when it came to what she wanted. Her role as Wong Fei Hong’s wife is against to the traditional value of female. Although there is the gap of age between them but she does not care about other’s view, she would chase for what she wants. The stereotype of female is changing, which they have the agency to duel with their marriage. Also, she practices the martial art and fight with the Japanese at the final scene. All of these scenes represent the social phenomenon of female in Hong Kong at nowadays.
The power of female is represented at most of the female characters. The drama is called ‘女拳’, it related to the main character, Mok Kwai-lan. Her character was tough. She stood strongly for what she believed in with reason. She did not put herself over anyone else when it came to what she wanted. Her role as Wong Fei Hong’s wife is against to the traditional value of female. Although there is the gap of age between them but she does not care about other’s view, she would chase for what she wants. The stereotype of female is changing, which they have the agency to duel with their marriage. Also, she practices the martial art and fight with the Japanese at the final scene. All of these scenes represent the social phenomenon of female in Hong Kong at nowadays.
Besides Mok kwai-lan, the role of Kwai Fa (葵花) is also importance at the drama.
As she is a girlfriend of a Japanese, she does not served herself as the bad guy, it is because she can live better than before, it is not shy to do that. These characters are presented as the independent women, whom they know how to duel with every case, and they would not be scary when facing the difficulties.Exaggerated of relationship, the returning of love and hate
As I mentioned before, the female is not subordinated at the scene. The role of唐雪喬(Tong Sue Kiu) is presented as a kind and caring person. But she kills her husband finally.
Her action is so impacted, most of the Hong Kong forum discuss about it. The netizens think that the scene of murdering is similar to the ending of a Hentai Japan cartoon called ‘School Days’. Her action is obviously exaggerated and emotionally. It breaks down the traditional stereotype about female. They are not always the passive, they would revenue, and fight back.By analyzing these female characters, the role of female is not simply as the before. They would have their agency, thinking, decision and strength. Our audience is gradually assumed that female can also be active at every aspect. It is also suit to the ideology of female’s image at modern age, female audience identify themselves with the characters, approval that they would also role as an active one at the society.
Posted by Yung Hon Chun, Titus (10350693)
Your review is clearly structured and well organized, which touches upon TV genre, story plot and the main protagonists. The analysis on the three female characters is quite detailed and illustrative, with discussion on some relevant theoretical concepts.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the “shifting of power from male to female”, it’s more complicated than it seems to be. Though Wong Fei-hung is depicted as an open-minded male, who didn’t look down upon female, Mok Kwai-lan still had to go through a lot hardship and challenges before gaining the so-called “power”. In fact, even she gained the respect of others at the end, she has to be “physically strong” enough, a kind of masculine quality that is socially recognized in the patriarchal society.
The character of Kwai Fa is also very interesting. She is smart, self-centred and aggressive, but also kind-hearted and believes in earthly love. She actually embodies the qualities of both modern women (being expressive and intellectual) and traditional women (loyal to love, persistent), a kind of “perfect partner” that men always dreamed of.