On July 20, the 25th anniversary of the release of “Shaolin Soccer,” a new film directed and starring Stephen Chow (Chow Sing Chi), titled “Kung Fu Women’s Soccer,” has surpassed a box office record of 1.5 billion yuan (RMB). The film released a behind-the-scenes clip, showing Stephen Chow dancing the iconic “Sauce Exploding Dance” on set, 25 years after the original movie.
“Kung Fu Women’s Soccer,” self-written and directed by Stephen Chow, revolves around a grassroots women’s soccer team named the “E Mei Team.” It tells the inspiring story of a group of underestimated girls who incorporate traditional kung fu into their soccer training, uniting and growing amidst adversity, and ultimately triumphing in a top-tier competition.
The film premiered on July 11, earning 260 million yuan on its first day and crossing 1 billion in just 27 minutes, breaking multiple box office records. As of July 20, the total box office has exceeded 1.5 billion yuan, with projections from “Maoyan” suggesting a potential final box office of 2.5 to 3 billion yuan. Despite mixed reviews, the film experienced a “rebound” in the following weekend, with daily box office revenue approaching 200 million yuan, demonstrating remarkable long-term appeal.
In a celebratory video released by the film’s production team on the 20th, the 64-year-old Stephen Chow, with silver hair, effortlessly reenacted the “Sauce Exploding Dance.” Despite his casual attire, once the familiar music started playing, he instantly transformed. Shoulder shimmies, hip sways, smooth movements, precise timing – his rhythm and demeanor mirrored those of 25 years ago, exuding the same carefree swag and whimsical charisma. While practicing, he had modestly remarked, “I may not be able to capture that same feeling,” but the dance vitality he exhibited was spot on, relaxed, and humorous, showing no signs of rustiness.
This short glimpse of the behind-the-scenes dance quickly went viral, garnering over 5.2 billion views. From celebrities to ordinary netizens, professional dance troupes to delivery drivers and school students, many joined the trend of recreating the dance. Actors such as Zhang Yixing, Lin Zicong, Xu Juncong, Dilraba Dilmurat, and others either performed together or made their own versions. The renowned Japanese dance troupe Avantgardey was also invited to perform as cheerleaders in “Kung Fu Women’s Soccer,” dancing alongside Chow Sing Chi.
Netizens raved about how the dance brought back memories of 25 years ago, praising Stephen Chow for maintaining his comedic essence. Fans expressed sentiments like, “Others reminisce about their youth, but for Stephen Chow, his youth is legendary,” and “Once perceived as ‘nonsensical humor,’ now it tastes like ‘laughing until you cry.'”
The “Sauce Exploding Dance,” originating from the 2001 film “Shaolin Soccer,” features the character “Sauce,” leading passersby to dance spontaneously on the street. The lines “I never gave up on my dream of becoming a great composer” from “Sauce” and “I’ve always wanted to be a great dancer” by “Porky” voiced the aspirations of countless underdogs.
Though this dance may seem comical and nonsensical, it embodies the purest passion. Stephen Chow was drawn to the actors’ unwavering determination, deciding to improvise the scene spontaneously, capturing it perfectly in one take. This impromptu creation became the most touching and nonsensical romance of the entire film. Today, 25 years later, the new film “Kung Fu Women’s Soccer” continues the comedic core of grassroots team overcoming odds.
Stephen Chow’s films have always focused on ordinary people with big dreams. The enduring popularity of the “Sauce Exploding Dance” after 25 years is interpreted by netizens as representing the unextinguished passion in everyone’s heart.