"Kungfu Soccer" Surpasses 700 Million Yuan in Just Four Days as Stephen Chow Is Moved to Tears by Fans' Support

Just days after its theatrical release, "Kungfu Soccer" has become one of the hottest films in the Chinese cinema market. According to data from Maoyan, the movie had already earned more than 700 million yuan (approximately US$97 million) by the evening of July 14, achieving the milestone only four days after its premiere.

This impressive performance has propelled the film—written and directed by Stephen Chow—into the Top 6 highest-grossing films in mainland China in 2026, while also generating widespread discussion across social media platforms.

Mixed Reviews, Strong Box Office Performance

Despite its remarkable commercial success, the film has received a divided response from both critics and audiences.

On Douban, it currently holds a rating of 6.6/10, reflecting mixed opinions among viewers.

Some audiences believe that the signature absurd comedy that made Stephen Chow famous does not hit as hard as it did in his classic films. Others have criticized the visual effects, saying certain CGI-heavy scenes appear artificial, while some performances are considered overly exaggerated.

On the other hand, many moviegoers praise the film for maintaining Stephen Chow's trademark optimistic spirit. The story of ordinary underdogs refusing to give up on their dreams continues to resonate with audiences and delivers an inspiring message.

Many fans also admitted that they bought tickets simply because it was a Stephen Chow film, regardless of whether reviews were positive or negative.

Expected to Reach 3 Billion Yuan

Based on Maoyan's latest forecast, "Kungfu Soccer" is expected to surpass 3 billion yuan at the Chinese box office if its current momentum continues.

Industry analysts also believe the film still has a chance to challenge "Pegasus 3", which currently leads China's 2026 annual box office with more than 4.43 billion yuan in ticket sales.

A Spiritual Successor to "Shaolin Soccer"

Widely regarded as the spiritual successor to Stephen Chow's legendary "Shaolin Soccer," the new film tells the story of a women's football team that combines the beautiful game with traditional Shaolin martial arts.

The cast features several well-known Chinese stars, including Zhang Xiaofei, Dilraba Dilmurat, and Lay Zhang (Zhang Yixing).

The movie blends comedy, football, martial arts, and fantasy elements to create an entertaining experience aimed at family audiences.

Stephen Chow's Rare Emotional Moment

To promote the film, Stephen Chow has participated in numerous promotional events across major Chinese cities—something that has become increasingly rare over the past several years.

During a fan event in Tianjin, thousands of audience members repeatedly chanted his name and expressed their appreciation. The veteran filmmaker was visibly emotional, pausing for several moments with tears welling up in his eyes.

Speaking to the audience, Chow admitted that he often feels he has not done enough and worries about disappointing those who have continued to support him throughout his career.

Videos capturing the emotional moment quickly spread across Chinese social media, touching many longtime fans who rarely see the legendary filmmaker express his emotions publicly.

Interesting Stories from Behind the Scenes

At another promotional event, Stephen Chow shared several humorous stories from the production.

He joked that he was far from being an intimidating director and often found himself receiving advice from his own cast members.

According to Chow, Zhang Xiaofei frequently reminded him to stay calm and avoid becoming overly impatient while directing.

He also praised Lay Zhang, saying the actor always arrived fully prepared and often performed multiple versions of the same scene, giving the production team a variety of options during editing.

Reflecting on the collaboration, Chow said working with Lay Zhang taught him an important lesson—that giving actors more creative freedom can sometimes produce even better results than insisting on a director's original vision.

Stephen Chow's Enduring Star Power

Although opinions on the film remain divided, "Kungfu Soccer" once again demonstrates the enduring appeal of Stephen Chow in Chinese cinema.

With more than 700 million yuan earned in just four days and projections pointing toward a 3-billion-yuan finish, the film is widely expected to become one of the biggest box-office hits in China in 2026.

 In my hand, the glowing seed Lied against the shadow's greed Whispers of the elder tree Set the dying forest free To the roots and To the sky From the ashes We will grow Watch the wildwood wake alive In my hand, the glowing seed Lied against the shadow's greed Whispers of the elder tree Set the dying forest free To the roots and To the sky From the ashes We will grow Watch the wildwood wake alive 

In my hand, the glowing seed Lied against the shadow's greed Whispers of the elder tree Set the dying forest free In my hand, the glowing seed Lied against the shadow's greed Whispers of the elder tree Set the dying forest free To the roots and To the sky From the ashes We will grow Watch the wildwood wake alive In my hand, the glowing seed Lied against the shadow's greed Whispers of the elder tree Set the dying forest free To the roots and To the sky From the ashes We will grow Watch the wildwood wake alive

 According to many historians, the “Lệ Chi Viên Case” was not merely a tragic accident of fate but likely a carefully staged conspiracy led by Queen Mother Nguyễn Thị Anh. Later on, Emperor Lê Thánh Tông—who posthumously cleared Nguyễn Trãi’s name—may have also known the truth. Yet, for the dignity of the royal house and to preserve the face of the Lê dynasty, he chose silence over scandal. To this day, it remains one of the most hotly debated mysteries in Vietnamese history.

The Shadows of Destiny

Records from Đông A Di Sự note that Nguyễn Trãi’s maternal grandfather was Trần Nguyên Đán, a powerful and virtuous minister of the Trần dynasty, renowned for his deep knowledge of astrology and destiny. He had foreseen the downfall of his dynasty through Hồ Quý Ly’s ambition, and in an attempt to protect his descendants, allied his family with the usurper.

As fate would have it, his grandsons—Trần Nguyên Hãn and Nguyễn Trãi—would both become national heroes. However, upon reading Nguyễn Trãi’s horoscope, Trần Nguyên Đán warned him: “Conquer the city, then withdraw.” He sensed greatness and tragedy intertwined within the same destiny—glory that would one day demand a price from three generations.

The Rise and Fall of a Scholar–Statesman

Nguyễn Trãi was instrumental in the Lam Sơn uprising against Ming invaders, drafting strategies and proclamations that led to victory in 1427. In recognition, Lê Lợi conferred upon him the title Quan Phục Hầu, along with rare honors and privileges—proof of his unmatched contribution.

However, his brilliance also made him a target. After the deaths of his allies Trần Nguyên Hãn and Phạm Văn Xảo, Nguyễn Trãi’s influence waned. He was gradually pushed away from state affairs, confined to cultural and scholarly duties. Even the royal surname “Lê” granted to him was later omitted from inscriptions.

It wasn’t until King Lê Thái Tông recognized his wisdom and recalled him to serve again that Nguyễn Trãi’s prestige was restored. By 1439, he had regained most of his former ranks. Yet, destiny had already set the stage for tragedy.

The Night at Lệ Chi Viên

In 1442, the king visited the East to inspect the troops. During his stay, Nguyễn Trãi invited him to rest at Côn Sơn. Soon after, at the “Lệ Chi Viên” (Lychee Garden), the 20-year-old king suddenly fell ill and died. Nguyễn Trãi and his wife, Lady Nguyễn Thị Lộ, were accused of regicide and sentenced to “extermination of three generations.”

But centuries later, scholars revisited the case and found clues that pointed elsewhere. Before his death, Lê Thái Tông had replaced his crown prince—Nghi Dân—with Bang Cơ, the child of Nguyễn Thị Anh. Meanwhile, Lady Ngô Thị Ngọc Dao (mother of the future king Lê Thánh Tông) was pregnant and persecuted by Nguyễn Thị Anh. Nguyễn Trãi and his wife had secretly sheltered her at temples in Hanoi and Từ Liêm, protecting her until she gave birth to Prince Tư Thành.

Such compassion, however, marked them for death. Nguyễn Thị Anh feared exposure of her son’s illegitimacy and conspired to eliminate the king during his visit—then blame Nguyễn Trãi. The perfect scapegoat was ready.

Following the king’s death, Nguyễn Trãi’s entire clan was executed. Soon after, even two eunuchs—Đinh Phúc and Đinh Thắng—who had known court secrets, were killed. Historians believe they had advised Nguyễn Trãi to tell the king about Bang Cơ’s true parentage, but he hesitated—and paid the ultimate price.

Years later, King Lê Thánh Tông reversed the verdict, honoring Nguyễn Trãi with the words:
“The heart of Ức Trai shines bright as the Khuê Star.”

In 1464, the king officially pardoned him, restoring his descendants’ names and titles.

Modern scholars—including Phan Duy Kha, Đinh Công Vĩ, and Lã Duy Lan—have offered compelling evidence supporting the theory that Nguyễn Thị Anh orchestrated the conspiracy. Their findings were detailed in the book “Lễ Nghi Học Sĩ Nguyễn Thị Lộ và Thảm Án Lệ Chi Viên” (2004), restoring the dignity of two unjustly condemned souls after centuries of silence.

 Once upon a time, there were two rice grains that were carefully kept aside to be used as seeds for the next season, for both were healthy, plump, and full of life.

One day, the farmer decided to sow them in the nearby field. The first grain thought to itself:
“Why should I let him take me to the field? I don’t want my body to be crushed and buried in the soil. It’s better to keep all my nutrients inside this shell and find a safe, cozy place to stay.”
So, it rolled into a dark corner of the granary and hid there.

Meanwhile, the second grain longed day and night to be planted into the earth. It felt pure joy at the thought of starting a new life.

As time passed, the first grain withered away in the corner. Without sunlight or water, its nutrients became useless — it slowly dried up and died.
The second grain, though broken and buried in the dirt, sprouted into a golden rice plant heavy with new grains. It gave birth to a new generation of life.

Moral:
If you lock yourself inside your own shell just to preserve a meaningless sense of safety, you will live an empty life and lose your true value.
Therefore, learn to step out, embrace challenges, and dare to be broken — for only through such courage can your life gain meaning and bring real value to the world.

2. The “Ugly” Class Beauty

When the female students in a university class held an open vote to choose their class beauty, Xiao Mai — an ordinary-looking girl — stood up and said to everyone:

“If you vote for me, then a few years from now, each of you can proudly tell your husband: ‘Back in college, I was even prettier than our class beauty!’”

The result? She was elected with an overwhelming majority of votes.

Moral:
To win people’s support, it’s not always about proving that you’re better than others. What truly matters is showing them that because of you, they can become better, more accomplished, and more confident themselves.

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