A novel luminary of martial arts stories

Overseas Chinese students began adopting Jin Yong's novels into computer games as early as 1995, and 42 online games have been created since, in addition to other martial arts themed games that hail to the "core spirit of his creations", says Hu Zhipeng, senior vice-president of NetEase Group.

All of Jin Yong's novels have been adapted for film and TV — some multiple times. Producer and director Zhang Jizhong dedicated 18 years of his career to making eight TV series based on his books. In 1999, he persuaded Jin Yong that he would shoot his stories in the style of literary classics and was granted the copyright for just 1 yuan ($0.14).

"We searched all over China for the striking natural landscapes to portray his creation of a fantasy world for grownups," Zhang Jizhong says.

New TV series based on Jin Yong novels are still being made, although Zhang Jizhong says he won't make another himself.

Now, there are so many forms of entertainment, and short videos have changed people's viewing habits.

"I'm sure Jin Yong's stories will find new ways to reach the hearts of one generation after another," he says.