Legend of Condor Heroes (Legend of Arching Hero)

Legend of Condor Heroes

The Legend of Condor Heroes is the first part of a trilogy by Yin Jong also known as Louis Cha.  This first part is set in the Song Dynasty and is the story of two men that have such a strong bond that they pledge their unborn children to be married, if they are of the opposite sex and be sworn siblings if they are of the same.  

Gou Jing and Haung Rong 2003 version

Gou Jing and Haung Rong 2008 version

I just finished watching the 2003 version.  I also watched the 2008 version with Ariel Lin but that was before and I can't remember everything.

I feel like I prefer the 2003 version because it just seemed better acted and mature.  although the character like Haung Rong is a young girl of 16 and Ariel Lin is very good at playing those cute and mischievous roles.  In some ways I preferred to see the more mature Huang Rong.

I think Yang Kang was played well enough. You could see just the kind of person he was especially after he finds out about his real heritage.  Yang Kang starts off as someone who loves being in control.  When things happen he would know about and was often the one to set it up and he seemed to enjoy seeing others at a lost.  Even with his mother we saw how he set up the act about the injured rabbit.  But once he is told who is and told who his real father is. We can observe his devastation.  I also found it to be quiet realistic as to how Yang Kang could not just let go of the past.  Usually in some Ancient stories once someone is revealed to there biological parents, the person suddenly seemed to forget about the people that raised him in favor of this stranger, usually a father. Also Yang Kang is a spoiled rich kid, so he couldn't suddenly just give up and be poor. 

Yang Kang 2008 version

Yang Kang 2003 version

I liked that Nianci was clear about her moral, though she fell in love with Yang Kang almost at first sight. Also she believed a lot in the fact that Yang Kang could changed if he wanted to, but once she really saw that he had no intention to.  She left him.  In the 2008, Nianci was just beyond gullible even when Yang Kang offers her to the Ouyand Ke.  She still doesn't seem to believe that he won't leave his father's side and the wealth and power it comes along with. 

Nianci 2008 version

Nianci 2003 version

Gou Ying came off a little more simple and natural to me than I remember Hu ge being. Although, I think they both made good version of Gou Ying. Though, Hu Ge's just more gullible to still want to forgive and over look Yang Kang after he stabs him.  One reason I think this must have been was because Yang Kang was given a lot more time in the 2008 version to be with the other characters. So it was just maddening to see how day in and out they would over look the things he was doing especially Nianci.


I preferred the 2003 version in more ways than the 2008 version.  Though, I think they are both good. If you can't find the earlier version than watch the 2008 version.