The Return of the Condor Heroes (神鵰俠侶 1995)

The great love story of the genre: Yeung Gwo (楊過) and Siu Lung Nui (小龍女), a pair who refuse to follow the rules of their world. Louis Koo (古天樂) gives Yeung Gwo a restless edge, and Cecilia Lee (李若彤) is ethereal as his teacher. The pair became the image many people have in mind for these characters.

The scenery is lovely and the romance is slow enough to feel earned. The middle sags a bit, but the final stretch is moving. I teared up at one parting scene, which surprised me.

Thirty-two episodes is brisk for a long novel. It works as a gentle entry point for newcomers. I still hum the theme tune.