Zhen Chen was born in Xiangyang, Hubei Province, and later lived in Xuhui District, Shanghai. He was a disciple of China martial artist Huo Yuanjia in the late Qing Dynasty. Legend has it that he was killed by the Japanese after revenging his master who was killed by the Japanese. In fact, this is just a rumor from outsiders. Zhen Chen did not die, but fled Shanghai, immigrated to the Philippines (there are also rumors that he immigrated to Malaysia), and then went into seclusion. This legend has been made into movies and TV series many times. Many film and television works depict Zhen Chen as five apprentices of Huo Yuanjia.
There are also comments that Zhen Chen's deeds are based on Liu Zhensheng, because Liu Zhensheng is indeed recorded in the historical materials of this figure, and he is the great disciple of the national hero Huo Yuanjia, so many legends about Zhen Chen originated from Liu Zhensheng.
Therefore, Zhen Chen does exist in history, and he is also a disciple of Huo Yuanjia, but he is unknown. Most of his stories and legends come from film and television dramas, and many stories about him are fictional.