[QUOTE=GeneChing;1096912]It starts with Shaolin. It always starts with Shaolin. 
Hi Gene,
Can you order a regular digital subscription?? I’d like to order mine tomorrow if that’s the case. If so what’s the price for one?
Absolutely, Hebrew Hammer, absolutely
I refreshed the link above as it was a bit faulty…aw, what the heck, here it is again: Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine on Zinio. You’ll find the regular subscription information there. Thanks for your support, HH!
# Martial arts veteran Shi Yanneng leads ‘Hunter Eleven: The Awaken’, eyes Malaysia as action hub
Ian Jeremiah Patrick
Sat, 25 April 2026 at 1:00 AM GMT-7
4 min read
Malay Mail
JOHOR BAHRU, April 25 — Established martial artist and actor Shi Yanneng has long made his mark in the Chinese film industry with his grounded, action-driven performances.
The Malaysian feature Hunter Eleven: The Awaken, directed by Frank See (Air Force: The Movie – Selagi Bernyawa, Legasi: Bomba The Movie), brings together a production team from Hong Kong and China alongside an international, star-studded cast.
The action-packed conspiracy thriller is set to target audiences nationwide, with Shi taking the lead as SADD, opposite Malaysia’s Sky Iskandar as NOAH.
While Shi is a familiar name among followers of Chinese entertainment, he may be less known to wider audiences.
Here’s a closer look at his journey — and what drew him to this local production, slated for release in 2027.
Shaolin roots, screen breakthrough
Shi is a 32nd-generation disciple of the Shaolin Temple, having entered as a trainee at the age of 12.
He spent roughly a decade there before representing Shaolin in cultural exchanges and international showcases, bringing Chinese kung fu to audiences across Europe and South-east Asia.
Although he began acting in the 1990s, his breakthrough came when he was discovered by Stephen Chow, who cast him in the 2004 film Kung Fu Hustle, where he played a character named Coolie.
Over the years, he has often taken on supporting roles, but remains widely respected and in demand for his authentic martial arts skills.
His credits include Flash Point (2007), Ip Man (2008), and Shaolin (2011), sharing the screen with stars such as Donnie Yen and Jackie Chan.
After years in supporting roles, he secured his first leading part in 2013’s The Wrath of Vajra, playing K-29.
By 2026, he had amassed more than 35 film and television credits, continuing to showcase the discipline and artistry of kung fu on screen.
Shi Yanneng speaks at a press conference for ‘Hunter Eleven: The Awaken’ at Iskandar Studios. — Picture courtesy of GSC Movies
Shi Yanneng speaks at a press conference for ‘Hunter Eleven: The Awaken’ at Iskandar Studios. — Picture courtesy of GSC Movies
Speaking to Malay Mail at Iskandar Studios, Shi said Flash Point was among his most physically demanding projects due to the intensity of its fight sequences.
In terms of character work, he said portraying K-29 in The Wrath of Vajra was especially challenging, as it required him to fully embody the role.
“That film (The Wrath of Vajra) is mostly about the soul of Shaolin, because without reaching a certain level of knowledge of Shaolin, you want to present it on screen to tell the real Shaolin power is really not an easy task,” he shared.
He added that the character in the film remains the most challenging of his acting career so far.
Why Malaysia, why now
Hunter Eleven: The Awaken will mark Shi’s first leading role in an international feature, with several factors driving his involvement.
The 47-year-old believes the action genre will play a major role across the Pan-Asian region, and sees Malaysia as having the potential to become a hub for action filmmaking and a serious industry player.
This is reflected in the growth of the local industry, with increasing co-productions and filmmakers pushing creative boundaries.
“I believe Malaysian action movies can compete in the global market and can be a great movie that is recognised by everyone all over the world,” Shi added.
The genre also aligns with the type of projects he intends to focus on in the coming years.
His decision to join the film was further strengthened by his long-standing trust in director See, along with collaborators he described as “good brothers” across different departments in Malaysia.
He also cited admiration for Malaysia’s multiracial and multicultural society as a key influence.
Building an action identity
Shi said that through Hunter Eleven, he is shaping his own distinctive voice within the action genre, and expressed gratitude for the support from the production team.
He added that blending the raw power of Shaolin with the visual language of cinema could result in something both significant and compelling.
The project is currently in principal photography, with filming having taken place in Langkawi, Kuala Lumpur, and now Johor.
The cast also includes Yayan Ruhian, Hana Malasan, Nia Atasha, Peter Davis, Nina Kho, Ariel Izz, Chai Zi, Sangeetha Krishnasamy, Amanda Ang and Wan Serigala.
‘No film has truly captured Shaolin kung fu’: Martial arts veteran Shi Yanneng on his quest to change that
Kenneth Tee
Wed, 8 July 2026 at 11:26 PM GMT-7
5 min read
Malay Mail
KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 — For most audiences, Shaolin kung fu is synonymous with flying kicks, lightning-fast punches and gravity-defying stunts.
Despite the many kung fu classics that have graced the silver screen, action star and martial artist Shi Yanneng believes none has truly captured the essence of authentic Shaolin martial arts.
To Shi, a 32nd-generation disciple of Shaolin Temple, Shaolin kung fu has always represented far more than spectacular fight scenes and dazzling choreography.
"To this day, I do not think there has been a single action film that has fully and authentically presented the real Shaolin martial arts system on screen.
“You do see glimpses of it here and there with certain techniques, movements or elements but they are very limited,” he told Malay Mail in an interview recently.
Even films such as Shaolin Temple, which starred Jet Li in his debut role, did not fully capture the authentic Shaolin fighting system, as they were based more on modern competitive wushu rather than the traditional martial arts practised at Shaolin Temple, Shi explained.
Contrary to popular belief, Shi said the Shaolin martial arts system was far more profound and mysterious.
“If it’s portrayed properly in film, it would definitely have a very unique identity,” he said.
"So what audiences often see in movies today is an exaggerated version of Shaolin martial arts which is understandable because filmmaking naturally requires exaggeration.
“Real-life combat doesn’t always look dramatic on camera, so filmmakers rely on editing, camera angles, choreography and cinematography to make action sequences feel more exciting and visually impactful,” he added.
To chase a dream
Long before he became a movie star and martial artist, Shi said his journey to Shaolin Temple began with a simple childhood dream — to learn kung fu, make action films and become an action star.
"When I was still in primary school, before I had even finished my studies, I watched Shaolin Temple, along with classic Hong Kong martial arts films about characters like Huo Yuanjia and Chen Zhen which later inspired me to dream of becoming an action star.
In popular culture, Huo — a real historical figure — is often portrayed as a heroic martial artist who fought to uphold Chinese dignity by defeating foreign fighters during an era when China’s sovereignty was being undermined by imperialist powers.
Chen, meanwhile, is a fictional character depicted as Huo’s apprentice.
Both characters have been portrayed on screen by martial arts icons Jet Li and Bruce Lee, respectively, in film adaptations.
“After that, I completely lost interest in studying as I was always playing with sticks and pretending to practise martial arts at school,” he said.
Shi Yanneng posing for his upcoming Malaysian feature Hunter Eleven: The Awaken where Shi stars as SADD, the lead character. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
Shi Yanneng posing for his upcoming Malaysian feature Hunter Eleven: The Awaken where Shi stars as SADD, the lead character. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
Having made up his mind to pursue that path, Shi said he knew of no other way to achieve his dream except for a place in China called Shaolin Temple, where he had heard people could learn extraordinary martial arts.
"With that very simple and innocent dream, I went there (as a 13-year-old).
"I ended up spending more than a decade there, where besides learning martial arts, I also received daily teachings in Zen philosophy.
“That experience had a profound impact on my way of thinking and helped shape me mentally and spiritually,” the 47-year-old said.
Since then, Shi said he has always wanted to showcase the Shaolin martial arts system through filmmaking, while using the platform to bridge different cultures and ultimately help bring Pan-Asian action cinema to audiences around the world.
"Looking back, my reason for going to Shaolin Temple was very straightforward — I simply wanted to become an action star.
"But after so many years of experience and personal growth, my ambition has become much bigger than that. I no longer want to be just an action star.
“I want to use that platform to promote Shaolin culture, the philosophy of Zen and martial arts, Chinese culture and even Malaysian culture,” he said.
Difficult to truly portray
Shi said one reason no film has successfully portrayed authentic Shaolin kung fu is that few people have both undergone extensive training in the traditional martial arts system and become movie actors.
"Yet beyond its mystery and greatness, authentic Shaolin kung fu is actually very simple and unpretentious.
“The real challenge is finding a way to use cinema to faithfully capture that simplicity while still making it visually compelling,” he said.
He further stressed that Shaolin kung fu should not be reduced to visually impressive fight sequences, as every movement carries a deeper combat system and philosophy rooted in discipline and spiritual cultivation.
"I don’t want audiences to see only punches, kicks, swords and flashy fight scenes because behind every movement in Shaolin martial arts is a sophisticated system of attack and defence.
"For example, there is a saying, ‘strike like a fierce tiger, withdraw like a coiled rooster.’
"Why should you contract your body so tightly when withdrawing, yet unleash your power like a tiger descending the mountain when attacking?
Having stepped into filmmaking, Shi therefore hopes to bring audiences a new experience by combining the authenticity of Shaolin martial arts with cinema’s storytelling power.
“It’s difficult to explain all of that in just a few words and I think it can only truly be conveyed through a long-running series of films that gradually reveals the depth of the Shaolin martial arts system,” he said.
ahhh yes another new generation for the kung fu hustler harvest