Deep Scene Breakdown, “Everything is Kung Fu”

Last updated on: February 11, 2022 at 3:06 pm by Andrew

Deep Scene Breakdown, “Everything is Kung Fu” 2022-02-11T15:06:44-05:00 Andrew

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

It’s a beautiful scene and incredibly deep. I truly enjoyed the remake of the original 1984 The Karate Kid – and this scene in particular. In The Karate Kid (2010), the art is now Kung Fu and the figure of Mr. Miyagi is now Mr. Han, played by Jackie Chan. The original figure of Daniel is now Dre, played by Jaden Smith.

In both movies, Daniel and Dre are growing impatient in their “training”. They are both given remedial tasks (“sand the floor” and “paint the fence” in the original; “put the jacket on” and “take the jacket off” in the remake) that they feel have nothing to do with Karate/Kung Fu. They both tire of their chores and begin to walk out and quit on their teachers. Their teachers stop them, urge them to repeat these chores in the air (chores in motion, if you will), but this time Mr. Miyagi/Mr. Han throw kicks and punches. Instinctually, Daniel/Dre block with the body movements they have been practicing with their mundane chores. The students veil of ignorance fall and they realize they’ve been learning Karate/Kung Fu all along – a look of shock and illumination written all over their faces in this moment of realization.

Both scenes are profound, but I would argue the 2010 version of this scene goes much deeper philosophically. With Dre’s enlightenment that he “knows” Kung Fu, Mr. Han further enlightens him on what Kung Fu is:

“Kung Fu lives in everything we do… It lives in how we put on a jacket and how we take off a jacket. It lives in how we treat people. Everything is kung Fu.”

This is getting deep at the background philosophy of Taoism and the Yinyang – the idea of balance and living in harmony – from which Kung Fu developed. Tao literally means “The Way” and the practice of Kung Fu cannot be separated from “the Way”. Kung Fu is a life philosophy, not fighting. The hard work, discipline, and mastery of Kung Fu is ultimately about self-mastery, balance, and self-defense – physical and mental harmony inwards – and preserving harmony with others outward.

We are all interconnected. With power, comes humility and responsibility. The true expression of Kung Fu cannot be one of selfishness, anger, or bullying. It’s a philosophy that underlies most martial arts and why the Yingyang symbol is such a prevalent symbol for martial artists. It’s why we, and true martial artists following “The Way” are revolted at someone using their art to bully (as we were in The Karate Kid movies) someone weaker and/or untrained. There is no balance or honor there, just abuse of power.

At the middle of Yinyang, where the black and white intersect, lies the place of balance. Structure with creativity. Strength with technique. Body and mind. Confidence with humility. Leadership with service. With great power, comes great responsibility. Balance and harmony are the goal in everything we do.

Kung Fu bears an incredible responsibility; it cannot be separated from “The Way”.

In short, everything is Kung Fu.

Image credit: Alexandramander

Deep Scene Breakdown

Previous Post

January 27, 2022

Bruce Lee, Evolution, and Being Water

Next Post

February 24, 2022 Daniele Bolelli on Philosophy, Martial Arts, and Some Big Ideas

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Reviews Deep Scene Breakdown Deep Song Breakdown Events with Adam Lee Iron Heart Musings Podcast Quote Bank

Select a Month January 2026 September 2025 August 2025 June 2025 March 2025 February 2025 November 2024 August 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 September 2023 August 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 December 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 August 2020 June 2020 March 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 June 2019 May 2019 March 2019 November 2018 October 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 September 2017 August 2017 May 2016 April 2016 November 2015 October 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 March 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who gave birth to Isaac at a very old age?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Sarah Rebekah Leah Rachel