Xiao Ao Jiang Hu (XAJH) 2001
This first review is based on Jin Yong’s Xiao Ao Jiang Hu (????) aka Blood Cold Proud Hot, aka State of Divinity, aka Smiling Proud Wanderer, aka Laughter in the Wind. A direct transliteration would be “Laughter at the Martial World”. This version is produced by China’s CCTV in 2001
Prior to this 2001 version there were various adaptations from Hongkong, Singapore as well as Taiwan. This version is produced by Zhang Ji Zhong.
Cast
- Li Ya Peng as Linghu Chong
- Xu Qing as Ren Ying Ying
- Wei Zi as Yue Buqun
- Miao Yiyi as Yue Ling Shan
- Li Jie as Lin Ping Zhi
- Chen Lifeng as Yi Lin
- Liu Dong as Ning Zhongze (Mrs. Yue)
- Mao Wei Tao as Dung Fang Bu Bai
- Tu Men as Zuo Leng Chan
- Ba Yin as Xian Wen Tian
- Li Qinqin as Ding Yi
- Cong Zhijun as Qu Yang
- Xiu Zongdi as Liu Zheng Feng
- Yu Cheng Hui as Feng Qing Yang
- Lu Xiao He as Ren Wo Xing
Somehow I was totally hooked the very first time when I watched it. I’d managed to get the vcd set from a sales girl who had immigrated from China, and who received it from her uncle when he came to visit her in Singapore. I paid her SGD$40 for it which was a fair price.
I was blown away by the music, the sword-fighting choreography, the incredible China scenery, the chemistry of the 2 main leads; Li Ya Peng and Xu Jing who was 29 at the time of shooting the series. Jin Yong purists condemned this version in all related discussion forums due to certain liberties taken by the producer in this adaptation. But even Jin Yong is not above making substantial changes to his novels of late.
