In the original “Karate Kid” movie, which came out more than 40 years ago, Pat Morita was the only main Asian American cast member even though it takes place in California's San Fernando Valley.

It didn't occur to Ben Wang right away that in taking on “ Karate Kid: Legends,” he'd be the franchise's first Asian American “Kid.” And that gives him a lot of optimism.

In the original “Karate Kid” movie, which came out more than 40 years ago, Pat Morita was the only main Asian American cast member even though it takes place in California's San Fernando Valley.

In the original “Karate Kid” movie, which came out more than 40 years ago, Pat Morita was the only main Asian American cast member even though it takes place in California's San Fernando Valley.

In the original “Karate Kid” movie, which came out more than 40 years ago, Pat Morita was the only main Asian American cast member even though it takes place in California's San Fernando Valley.

In the original “Karate Kid” movie, which came out more than 40 years ago, Pat Morita was the only main Asian American cast member even though it takes place in California's San Fernando Valley.

In the original “Karate Kid” movie, which came out more than 40 years ago, Pat Morita was the only main Asian American cast member even though it takes place in California’s San Fernando Valley.

It didn’t occur to Ben Wang right away that in taking on “ Karate Kid: Legends,” he’d be the franchise’s first Asian American “Kid.” And that gives him a lot of optimism. “At firs… ...

It didn't occur to Ben Wang right away that in taking on “ Karate Kid: Legends,” he'd be the franchise's first Asian American “Kid.” And that gives him a lot of optimism. “At first I didn' ...