Question 1

Is Karate Kid: Legends woke?

Accepted Answer

Karate Kid: Legends has a woke score of 35/100, which means it is not especially woke compared with higher-scoring titles. The film sticks to the classic Karate Kid formula: a kung fu prodigy named Li moves from Beijing to New York, gets bullied, trains with Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso to blend styles, and enters a tournament. The story centers on grief, discipline, friendship, and fighting back—no political lectures or identity sermons. Casting uses an Asian lead for the Chinese character and a multicultural supporting cast that matches the NYC melting-pot premise, which Macchio called out positively at the premiere as deepening the franchise. One reviewer noted a tiny cultural store scene as mildly off, but overall it's described as straightforward family action with no agenda.

Question 2

Is there DEI in Karate Kid: Legends?

Accepted Answer

The biggest factors in our score are Representation / casting choices, Creator track record context, Identity-driven story themes. After a family tragedy, kung fu prodigy Li Fong is uprooted from his home in Beijing and forced to move to New York City with his mother. When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition – but his skills alone aren't enough. Li's kung fu teacher Mr. Han enlists original Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso for help, and Li learns a new way to fight, merging their two styles into one for the ultimate martial arts showdown.

Karate Kid: Legends

Factors & Ratings

Summary

Main Cast

Director & Crew