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NOTE: This is talking about the mainstream, video game version of Kung Lao. If you are looking for the other versions of him, go here.
“
I wear our family's name with pride!
„
~ Kung Lao, Mortal Kombat 11.
Kung Lao (Chinese: 功老) is one of the main protagonists of the Mortal Kombat franchise. He is a member of the White Lotus Society and is Liu Kang's arch-rival and best friend.
Kung Lao was voiced by Joe Yau in Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, Jin Hyong in Mortal Kombat 9, Will Yun Lee in Mortal Kombat X, and Sunil Malhotra from Mortal Kombat 11 onwards.
As well as his New Era incarnation, the original version of Kung Lao is a "Kameo" character in Mortal Kombat 1.
Personality[]
He is a pacifist as a Buddhist monk, though a bit resentful at being in Liu Kang's shadows. Though in MK11, after learning his tragic future, he abandoned his arrogance to avoid his tragedy from a result of having himself off-guard by Shao Kahn’s neck snap on him from the back, especially calling out his future revenant-self for being ashamed of their family name for serving the likes of Kronika’s children.
Powers and Abilities[]
Kung Lao is an excellent fighter and is similar to Liu Kang in terms of strength, agility, and martial arts skills. However his preferred weapon is his razor bladed hat, which he can throw at the opponent and also uses it to deliver the finishing blows to his opponents.
Lao seems to be able to control the hat in midair, since it can move in circular patterns as opposed to straight ahead and it seems magical in nature, since it will always re-materialize back on his head after he throws it, much like a boomerang.
Kung Lao's moves include teleporting by disappearing into the ground then popping up behind his opponent, flying towards his opponent, spinning like a tornado to kick them multiple times or to knock them into air, and diving down from the air to kick his opponent. As his alternate weapon fighting style, Lao wields a dao, a Chinese broadsword.
When next the tournament is fought it will be my ancestors who are honored.
„
~ Kung Lao in Mortal Kombat Shaolin Monks after hearing that Liu Kang is the champion
“
But when Kung Lao discovered the dead body of Liu Kang, he had but one objective, to avenge his death and bring the murderer to justice!
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~ Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance
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Bow you idiot.
„
~ Kung Lao after Raiden give Johnny Cage a medal
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Should my family feel honored now?
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~ Kung Lao after hearing about many Shaolin Monks being killed
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No I will defeat Reptile, you will watch. That is what Raiden was talking about.
„
~ Kung Lao after Liu Kang says they both can defeat Reptile
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I am not certain I want you anywhere near me.
„
~ Kung Lao to Liu Kang after Shang Tsung took the form of Liu Kang and tricked Kung Lao
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I am Liu Kang's equal!
„
~ Kung Lao
“
Watch and see.
„
~ Kung Lao
“
Nevermind the Lin Kuei, now you face a Shaolin.
„
~ Kung Lao before facing Scorpion
“
You have had your match with Liu Kang. Now you face me!
„
~ Kung Lao
“
I hope your is worth Lord Raiden's anger, Liu Kang.
„
~ Kung Lao speaking to Liu Kang about Kitana
“
Be thankful that I choose not to spill your tainted blood.
„
~ Kung Lao after defeating Noob Saibot.
“
You see, Raiden? Earthrealm is free--
„
~ Kung Lao's last words before being killed by Shao Kahn.
“
Our future, Liu Kang. This is insane!
„
~ The past Kung Lao speaking to Liu Kang about their new future counterpart’s inescapable fate as wraiths/revenants
“
The thought of becoming you, sickens me. But I won’t blame Raiden.
„
~ The past Kung Lao to his future revenant counterpart
“
You ashamed our family name.
„
~ The past Kung Lao, after defeating his future counterpart in disgust
Trivia[]
In the early years of the franchise, Kung Lao did not appear in non game media, apart from the Malibu comics, and his ancestor as the main protagonist of Mortal Kombat: Conquest (who wears his MK3 costume in the first episode).
Kung Lao appears in the intro to Armageddon, fighting Baraka, before they take the fight to mid-air, where he battles against his arm blades with his broadsword. He stabbed the Tarkatan in the chest before being blasted away by his spark attack.
In Deadly Alliance, Kung Lao had a joke about him having his own infomercial, where he sold swords for a limited time.
In the Video Game Divekick, A female character named Kung Pao is a parody of Kung Lao and Kitana.
Kung Lao's fatality was based off of Oddjob's hat from the James Bond film "Goldfinger".
