Hwang Jang-lee
Hwang Jang-lee | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 21, 1944 |
| Years active | 1974–1996; 2009 |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 황정리 |
| Hanja | 黃正利 |
| Revised Romanization | Hwang Jeong-ri |
| McCune–Reischauer | Hwang Chǒng-ri |
Hwang Jang Lee (born 21 December 1944) is a Korean martial artist and actor. Hwang is perhaps best known as Sheng Kuan in 1978 film Snake in the Eagle's Shadow and Wong Chin in 1981 film Hitman in the Hand of Buddha. Variations of his name are often written as Wong Cheng Lee or Wong Cheng Li, in their Cantonese-Chinese equivalents. He is also nicknamed Silver fox (the name of his most popular movie character), as well as "Thunderleg" or "Thunderfoot" (from his role in 1978 film Drunken Master). Born in Osaka, Japan, Hwang subsequently moved back to South Korea along with his family.
Early life
Acting
Hwang began to take up taekwondo lessons at the age of 14. Subsequently, having tested for his 7th dan black belt, he became a martial arts instructor for the Korean and South-Vietnamese armies, specializing in taekwondo from 1965. After acting in Korean movies, he came to work in Hong Kong in 1976 at the invitation of Ng See-yuen, where he starred in a great number of martial art movies, being generally cast as the villain, such as The Secret Rivals, which was the first to feature him as "Silver Fox". His martial arts prowess has earned him a genuine fame among martial arts aficionados, especially due to the fact that he fought almost only with his legs, earning him nicknames such as "King of the Legfighters".
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow and Drunken Master
Hwang is perhaps best known as Sheng Kuan and Thunderleg in both Jackie Chan movies they were: Snake in the Eagle's Shadow and Drunken Master in the same year 1978.
Other films
Hwang has appeared in many other Hong Kong and Korean films such as Dance of the Drunk Mantis, No Retreat, No Surrender 2 and Game of Death II. In 1980, Hwang directed, produced, and starred as the hero in Hitman in the Hand of Buddha. Hwang quit acting in the early 1990s and returned to South Korea, where at first he ran a golf-tee manufacturing company and hotel in Seoul. He also ran a bodyguard agency. Hwang only made occasional film appearances; notably, two Korean films are Emperor of the Underworld in the year 1994 and his final movie in 1996 film Boss.
Retired from acting
In 1996, Hwang has retired from acting at the age of 51. In January 2003, Hwang was awarded his 9th dan black belt in taekwondo and is now a Grandmaster.
In late 2002, Hwang was interviewed on camera at length by Hong Kong based writer producer Mike Leeder in an interview intended for the Hong Kong Legends DVD range. The interview continues to remain in the Contender vaults awaiting the release of their much discussed special editions of "Snake in the Eagle's Shadow" and "Drunken Master".
Return to acting
In 2009, Hwang returned to acting in TV series Return of Iljimae for the first time since 1996.
Personal life
Family
Hwang has a son, Jason.
Real life killer and self defense
Hwang would go on to join the Korean Army, where he became a tae kwon do instructor. It was during his time in the war that a major incident had occurred. A Vietnamese knife fighter challenged Hwang to fight, knives against his kicks. Hwang had refused but when the knife fighter lunged at him, Hwang fired a round kick to the knife fighter’s head, killing him instantly. The killing of the Vietnamese fighter broke news but Hwang was never charged as it was determined that it was self defense.[citation needed]
Filmography
Movies
- Secret Envoy (1974)
- Black Dragon River aka Martial mates (1975)
- Year of the Dragon aka Kill the Shogun (1975)
- Korean Connection (1975)
- Secret Rivals (1976)
- Bruce Lee's Secret (1976)
- Shaolin Wooden Men (1976)
- The Invincible Armour (1977)
- The Secret Rivals 2 (1977)
- Instant Kung Fu Man (1977)
- Snuff Bottle Connection (1977)
- Snake in the Eagle's Shadow (1978)
- Drunken Master (1978)
- Hell's Wind Staff (1979)
- 36 Deadly Styles (1979)
- Dragon's Claws (1979)
- Demon Strike (1979)
- Heroes of Shaolin (1979)
- Dance of the Drunk Mantis (1979)
- Lackey and the Lady Tiger (1980)
- Two Fists Against the Law (1980)
- Secret Ninja, Roaring Tiger (1980)
- Tiger Over Wall (1980)
- Young Hero (1980)
- Ring of Death (1980)
- Buddha Assassinator (1980)
- Heroes of Shaolin (1980)
- Blood child aka Five Fingers of Steel (1980)
- Sangwoon (1980)
- Hitman in the Hand of Buddha (1981)
- The Eagle's Killer (1981)
- The Phantom Thief (1981)
- Return of the Deadly Blade (1981)
- Game Of Death II (1981)
- Ninja Strikes Back (1982)
- Art of High Impact Kicking (1982)
- Ninja in the Dragon's Den (1982)
- Kid from Kwangtung (1982)
- Secret Executioners (1982)
- Raging Masters Tiger Crane (1982)
- Eagle vs. Silver Fox (1982)
- 5 pattern Dragon Claws (1983)
- Duel of the Ultimate Weapons (1983)
- Ghosts Galore (1983)
- Martial Monks of Shaolin Temple (1983)
- Canton Viper (1983)
- Yong-pal in Shaolin Temple (1983)
- Angry Young Man (1983)
- Masters of Tiger Crane (1983)
- Shaolin: The Blood Mission (1984)
- Challenge of the Tiger (1985)
- The First Vampire in China (1986)
- Innocent Interloper (1986)
- Where's Officer Tuba (1986)
- Millionaire's Express (1986)
- Ninja Terminator (1986)
- Angel (1987)
- No Retreat, No Surrender II: Raging Thunder (1987)
- Magnificent Warriors (1987)
- Bed Companion (1988)
- Darkside of Chinatown (1989)
- Live Hard (1989)
- Future Hunters (1989)
- Street Soldiers (1991)
- Emperor of the Underworld (1994)
- Boss (1996)
- Return of Iljimae (TV series) (2009)