On January 21, Sohu reported that the film Heroic Legend: The Great Honor, directed by Tiêu Chiến and starring Trương Đạt Phi, is actively promoting and generating buzz ahead of its official release on the first day of the Lunar New Year, 2025. However, the portrayal of both main characters has sparked controversy.
In Heroic Legend: The Great Honor 2025, the central character is Quách Tĩnh, played by Tiêu Chiến, who is involved in battles for the defense of the nation. However, the character Hoàng Dung, portrayed by Trương Đạt Phi, has also drawn significant attention from the audience.
In the original work by the famous author Kim Dung, Hoàng Dung is the daughter of Hoàng Dược Sư, the leader of the Peach Blossom Island. She is portrayed as intelligent, quick-witted, and deeply devoted to Quách Tĩnh’s well-being. This character has been beloved by many readers and has been successfully brought to life by various skilled actors such as Ông Mù Linh, Lý Nhất Đồng, Châu Tấn, Lâm Y Thần, and Trần Ngọc Liên.
A section of the audience has expressed disappointment that Trương Đạt Phi has been cast as Hoàng Dung, believing that she lacks the presence and maturity needed for such a role, especially considering the numerous adaptations of this classic story.
In the trailer, Hoàng Dung appears only briefly, creating a lasting impression regarding her performance. However, many viewers were left disappointed due to her underwhelming portrayal. Trương Đạt Phi is often criticized for lacking the gravitas typical of a period drama. The 2001-born actress has a youthful look, which some feel may not align well with the traditional costume genre. Previously, she even faced comments suggesting that her character design resembled that of a young boy. Hoàng Dung, as depicted by Trương Đạt Phi, is styled simply, with her hair tied back in a casual manner, which some viewers find fails to convey the character’s depth.
Trương Đạt Phi studied acting at the Beijing Film Academy and is currently signed under the entertainment company Gia Hành Thiên Hạ, where she is a rising star alongside the likes of Lệ Nhiệt Ba and Dương Mịch. Many consider her to be a “dark horse” in the industry, with great potential ahead.
She made her mark in the entertainment scene with her debut work titled Vợ Nhân Nguyệt. In addition to acting, the Gen Z star also possesses singing talent, having released songs for several film soundtracks such as You Are the High Mountain by the Sea, My Girlfriend’s Smile, I Don’t Want to Be Friends with You, and more.
Heroic Legend: The Great Honor opened ticket sales with positive signals. The film has already broken 11 box office records, achieving rapid success with 10 million yuan in ticket sales within just 45 minutes of its release. Previously, this record was held by Detective Chinatown 3 at 46 minutes. Furthermore, the film quickly surpassed revenue milestones of 20-30 million yuan to reach 100 million yuan within a single day.
According to Sina, those who secured tickets in advance primarily did so to support the actress, hoping for a stellar performance. The box office revenue has already had a direct impact on the film’s performance in the following days post-release. With the Lunar New Year approaching in 2025, many blockbuster films are expected to compete, such as Phong Thần 2, Na Tra Ma Đồng Giáng Thế 2, Detective Chinatown 4, creating significant pressure for Tiêu Chiến, Trương Đạt Phi, and the film Heroic Legend: The Great Honor.
According to Sina, the 2025 version of Heroic Legend: The Great Honor has been adapted from chapters 34-40 of the original work by Kim Dung, set during the turbulent period when Quách Tĩnh was returning to his hometown. Despite being a revered character in the story, Quách Tĩnh faces numerous challenges and must navigate the complexities of his surroundings. Alongside Hoàng Dung, Quách Tĩnh has vowed to protect the Southern Border.
