Ludi Lin plays Russell Tan’s son, Kerwin Tan, on The CW’s Kung Fu and tonight’s episode “The Bell” is quite a big one for his character as his loyalties will be tested. Will he side with his father and his sister, or might he end up helping Nicky Shen and her team of family and friends? How long will it be before we see Kerwin reunited with Zhilan? Lots of questions going in, but trust, it’s another great episode, airing at 9PM ET/PT on March 23.
We spoke with Ludi Lin about “The Bell” in an interview you can find below — do note that what’s posted here is just scratching the surface as we will have more to share after the episode has aired!
KSITETV’S CRAIG BYRNE: Why do you think Russell Tan saved his son’s life?
LUDI LIN: That’s a very good question! I think a part of what this season is, with the Tan family, is discovering Russell Tan’s motivation in saving his son’s life. Russell is such an inscrutable, mysterious character that it’s really hard to get, but as we “peel away at the onion” in each episode, I think you’ll eventually find out.
Can you talk about what Kerwin is up to as we go into this episode?
I think Kerwin has gotten himself in a bit of a pickle, since we last saw him. As he wakes up in the very first episode, his last memory is of the only person that he loves in the entire world, slitting his throat. And when he wakes up, he’s thrown in the worst situation that you can possibly imagine. His worst nightmare. He’s thrown back in the wolf’s den. And the situation has changed while he’s been gone, jaunting around with Zhilan. The family dynamic has changed. His sister had taken over, and it seems like everyone is against him now. He’s not sure what his family standing is, and he’s quite desperate. He needs to get out of that situation. How he’s going to get out of this predicament is the bulk of the third [episode].
When I spoke with Olivia [Liang] a few weeks ago, I referred to the tan family as like the evil version of the Shens. Do you see the same parallel between the families?
Yeah. I think they’re a bit dysfunctional, but that’s not to say that that’s not a realistic portrayal of what families are, as we probably know at each holiday gathering. They’re just a bit to the extreme. I think it plays a good dynamic in that yin/yang side of what it is that all family relationships are. So yeah, in a way, without the Tan family, I don’t think the Shen family would be as as interesting, or as complete.
What makes Kung Fu a special series to you?
To me and to many people, Kung Fu is a special series in many ways. It’s the only series on TV that represents a whole culture of people. And also, I think it’s a subversive series in what you perceive as the show draws you in – because with Kung Fu, you automatically think “action and martial arts” – and maybe you think that it’s not breaking any new ground. But once you start watching the show, it’s very much about the family dynamics and the relationships between people. It draws you in with action, and it grips you with drama. That’s what’s special to me.
Come back soon for more from Ludi Lin about Kung Fu! Here’s a description and some preview images for tonight’s episode “The Bell.”
INSIDE THE LION’S DEN — After a mishap forces her to re-evaluate her plan against Russell Tan (guest star Kee Chan), Nicky (Olivia Liang) turns her attention to finding out what Kerwin (guest star Ludi Lin) is up to after learning he’s back in the fold. Jin (Tzi Ma) offers help to an old friend at the Chinatown Arts Collective, and the team makes a big move against Russell Tan. Kheng Hua Tan, Shannon Dang, Jon Prasida, Eddie Liu, Gavin Stenhouse, Tony Chung, Vanessa Kai and Yvonne Chapman also star. Winnifred Jong directed the episode written by Brian Anthony (#203). Original airdate 3/23/2022. Every episode of KUNG FU will be available to stream on The CW App and CWTV.com the day after broadcast for free and without a subscription, log-in or authentication required.
KUNG FU
