Wen-kuang Chu

The Wisely Series is a collection of Chinese-language science fiction and adventure novels authored by Hong Kong writer Ni Kuang. The central character, Wisely (also spelled Wesley), embarks on numerous adventures, often involving encounters with extraterrestrial beings and supernatural phenomena. While Ni Kuang is credited with 150 stories across 145 novels, other writers contributed additional stories with his authorization, bringing the total to 161 stories in 156 novels. The series, set in a modern era resembling Hong Kong, was serialized in newspapers before being published in book form. Several of these stories have been adapted into various media, including films and television series.

The protagonist, Wisely, hails from a prosperous family that owns a trading company. Though his parents' fate is unclear, his grandfather appears to be the head of the family. Wisely leads the company's board but delegates daily operations to focus on his global travels and the investigation of mysteries. The character's name was inspired by a village in Hong Kong named after John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. The series has been recognized for its imaginative narratives and has achieved significant popularity, leading to numerous adaptations across different entertainment platforms.

The novels in the Wisely Series are narrated from the perspective of the titular protagonist, Wisely, whose name is also sometimes presented as Wesley. The stories are set in a contemporary period, roughly spanning the 1960s to the 2000s, within a fictional city that closely mirrors Hong Kong. The character's name is derived from a Hong Kong village named after John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement. Wisely originates from a privileged background, born into a wealthy family that managed a trading enterprise. While details about his parents are scarce, it is presumed they passed away early in his life. His grandfather seems to hold the position of family patriarch. Wisely himself chairs the company's board of directors but entrusts the day-to-day management to his general manager, allowing him the freedom to travel the world and pursue intriguing mysteries. His adventures frequently involve extraordinary events, including interactions with aliens and various supernatural entities.

Ni Kuang authored the majority of the Wisely Series, contributing 150 stories presented across 145 novels. An additional 11 stories were written by other authors with Ni Kuang's consent, resulting in a total of 161 stories compiled in 156 novels. The initial 94 stories, excluding a prequel titled 'Young Wisely,' were serialized in the Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao between 1963 and 1992, with a break in publication from 1973 to 1978. Stories created from 1992 to 2004 were released as printed books. During the 1970s, Ni Kuang discovered that Ming Pao had not preserved all the earlier installments. Fortunately, a dedicated reader named Wen Naijian had collected all his serialized works, enabling their republication in a multi-volume collection. Ni Kuang expressed profound gratitude for Wen's assistance, stating the books would not have been published without his help. The series saw various publishers in Hong Kong and Taiwan throughout its run.

The extensive narrative of the Wisely Series has been adapted into numerous other media formats since the 1980s, demonstrating its broad appeal. These adaptations include comic book series, radio dramas, feature films, and television series. Notable film adaptations include 'The Legend of Wisely' (1987), 'The Cat' (1992), and 'The Wesley's Mysterious File' (2002). On television, the series has been represented in shows such as 'The New Adventures of Wisely' (1998) and 'The 'W' Files' (2004). The character's adventures have also been brought to life through various comic artists and radio drama productions across Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan, further solidifying the Wisely character's presence in popular culture.

“These books would not have been published without Mr Wen Naijian's help.”