The transcript below is from the video “Sammo Hung, Living Legend Talks Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan & Yuen Biao” by Marten GO.

Marten GO (YouTube Channel, Method Artist, Preserved Dragons) 

“The world’s living legend of Hong Kong movies, Sammo Hung Kam-Bo!  He is actor, martial arts coach, director, producer and wears more than one hat on a Hong Kong movie set.  We will reminisce on his chronology talking about movie production stories, and reveal some secret stories of his sworn friendships.  Sammo Hung Kam-Bo:  Pursuit of the Debugon (Fat Dragon)!”

Talk Show Host (Japanese TV Series)

“From now on, this segment we will focus on Sammo Hung’s legacy and hear some back stories of friendly rivals and competitors.  You’re well known for your nickname, Sammo Hung Kam-Bo, however, in 1998, you dropped the Kam-Bo portion of your name, right?”

Sammo Hung Kam-Bo (Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer & director, choreographer)

 “Yes.”

Talk Show Host (Japanese TV Series)

“Can I still call you Sammo Hung Kam-Bo now or just Sammo Hung?”

Sammo Hung Kam-Bo (Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer & director, choreographer)

“Oh, no, any name is OK now.  Even Sammo Hung Kam-Bo, the idiot is OK.”

Talk Show Host (Japanese TV Series)

“Who here is brave enough to call him that?”  1962, Peking Opera School he received hard training to become an action star.  Jackie Chan, Yuen Biao entered later!  Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao are very popular in Japan, like you.  What was your impression of them when they joined the school?”

Sammo Hung Kam-Bo (Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer & director, choreographer)

“The first time I saw them enter the school, I thought, look two more dummies.”

Talk Show Host (Japanese TV Series) 

“Ah, I see.  Unbelievable!  All three met there, isn’t it?  Did you all think of each other as rivals?”

Sammo Hung Kam-Bo (Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer & director, choreographer)

“It wasn’t an issue of rivalry… or problem with rivalry because after I visited the school and really liked it there, asked my parents to send me to the school.  However, once I was there with contract signed, a week later I was regretting it and wanted to leave immediately because teacher beat us so badly.  Very painful…  Suddenly, I see these two dummies walk in, are they not dummies then?  Such a place of suffering and you want to come in?  Simple as that.”

Talk Show Host (Japanese TV Series)

 “Who is the strongest of the three, you Sammo Hung?”

Sammo Hung Kam-Bo (Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer & director, choreographer)

“I think so because I was older than them, you see?  But normally my temper was very bad.  But normally, I had this right which was… if Teacher wasn’t there, I would represent Teacher and teach them and I could hit them.  That’s why they won’t ever try to start a fight with me, like that.”

Talk Show Host (Japanese TV Series) 

“According to this board, you gained weight this year… that means, you were skinny before.  And here!  I’ll show you he was cast in a Bruce Lee movie!  The opening scene was spectacular!  When you got the offer, how did you feel?”

Sammo Hung Kam-Bo (Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer & director, choreographer)

“Oh.”

Talk Show Host (Japanese TV Series)

“Mr. Sammo Hung, what did Bruce Lee’s existence mean to you?”

Sammo Hung Kam-Bo (Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer & director, choreographer)

“Bruce… in my heart was actually already my idol.  Lots and lots of respect for him.  A lot of admiration for him.  That’s why, in my heart, Bruce will always be a hero.”

Talk Show Host (Japanese TV Series)

“Without Enter the Dragon, there would be no Debugon, is that right?”

Sammo Hung Kam-Bo (Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer & director, choreographer)

“That’s right because first I’m paying respect to him.  Second, I really like his sense of movement.  So I wrote a screenplay about a dummy, a fat guy who really worships Bruce Lee.  That’s why many things he did were modeled after Bruce Lee’s way of doing things.  Then after it was regarded as a form of paying respect to Mr. Bruce Lee, making this kind of film…which was very welcomed and I was also very happy because Bruce Lee to Hong Kong people, I don’t know how much he means to others…  Speaking for Hong Kong people… we, in our hearts… Bruce is a very important figure.”

Talk Show Host (Japanese TV Series)

“Although Enter the Dragon was a big hit… but an issue occurred that Japanese distributors named all these movie titles using the nickname ‘Debugon’ (Fat Dragon) without Sammo Hung’s consent.  Look at that!  So many!  Did you know all these movie titles included his nickname ‘Debugon’ was used by Japanese distributors to be promoted as a series of Debugon movies?  Did you know about it, Mr. Sammo Hung?”

Sammo Hung Kam-Bo (Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer & director, choreographer)

“I knew of the name.  When I used to come here, people would call me Debugon and also told me the meaning behind it.”

Talk Show Host (Japanese TV Series)

“So, furthermore…continuing your prime era, the Golden Trio continue making big hits!  Mrs. Hokuto, around this time is when you knew of his movies, right?”

Mrs. Hokuto (Japanese Talk Show guest) 

“I really love these three movies.  I watched them all.”

Talk Show Host (Japanese TV Series)

“The host asks if they remember a popular Japanese hard rock band called IKO.  She definitely remembers!  Do you have a scene that is most cherished?” 

Sammo Hung Kam-Bo (Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer & director, choreographer)

“The three of us?  There were many.  Me, in Wheels on Meals…Spartan X.  We were altogether in Spain filming for a long time.  We endured together but also experienced many very funny things… the life three of us altogether.  I remember one time in Spain, the three of us late at night with nothing to do…  Felt really bored, so we drove up to the top of a mountain with a vast field of grass.

The three of us laying there with the music box on just listening to music.  It was very comfortable.  But afterwards, with strong winds and such, staying up there too long, we left.  The three of us drove back and shortly after, caught colds.”

Talk Show Host (Japanese TV Series)

“Ending bloopers are fun to watch too, but did you know he also had big hit vampire movies?  And then 2017!  Released is “The Old Man is Debugon!’ (My Beloved Bodyguard!)  Congratulations!  Okay, can you tell us what it’s about?”

 Sammo Hung Kam-Bo (Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer & director, choreographer)

 “This film is about a retired bodyguard.  He then returns home, living out his retired life enjoying with his niece.  Unfortunately, he lost his niece.  So he leaves his house where he lived as a soldier and returned to his real home in the Mainland.  After that, his heart ached painfully but he has a neighbor, a little girl he is always together with and hoping that this little girl can be his niece.  Nurturing this belief, but then one day the little girl went missing.  I thought these bad guys took her.  So I must go rescue the little girl.  Does that make sense?”

Talk Show Host (Japanese TV Series)

“I see.”