Kung Lao is known in Mortal Kombat lore as a descendant of the Great Kung Lao.
The Great Kung Lao was an earlier champion who defeated the sorcerer Shang Tsung in a Mortal Kombat tournament, according to the series’ backstory. The modern Kung Lao carries that legacy and is associated with the White Lotus Society, a martial-arts organization connected to Earthrealm’s defenders.
Modern Kung Lao is recognizable for his razor-edged hat, which he throws and uses as a weapon. He is often portrayed as a close ally and friendly rival of Liu Kang, although the two characters have different fighting styles and personalities.
The name can be confusing because “Kung Lao” refers to the modern fighter, while “Great Kung Lao” identifies his famous ancestor. They are separate characters from different periods of the fictional history.