The love for China’s greatest crime buster from the feudal age is strong, and while he’s better known as Di Renjie (狄仁傑), audiences worldwide better know him as Detective Dee. Although some of the original tales got translated over, that hasn’t stopped others from bringing life to this 7th century magistrate. And as for why he got a slight change in occupation, I suspect the new role rolls off the tongue better, and what he does sounds more intriguing.
I discovered him through Tsui Hark‘s films, but I’m glad to say I still have many more to view. The main reason other works didn’t get internationally distributed is because they were made for television or distributors from elsewhere didn’t understand his appeal. I became a fan because of the supernatural elements that he sometimes has to face. And after getting a huge gift package recently, it’s time to get caught up!
By Ed Sum