Hwang Seong-gyeong

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Hwang Seong-Gyeong

Game series	Soul series
First game	Soul Edge
Voice actor(s)	Toshiyuki Morikawa (Soul Edge) Wataru Takagi (Soul Edge: Version II and Soul Calibur) Naoki Imamura (Soul Calibur III)
In-Universe Information
Age	32
Birthplace	Chili-san, Lee Dynasty Korea
Birthdate	August 8, 1559
Blood type	AB
Weapon	Chinese Blade (Soul Edge) Chinese Sword (later games)
Weapon name	Blue Storm (Soul Edge) Blue Thunder (later games)
Fighting style	Hwang Shi Dadao Shu
Family	Parents, deceased Master, Seong Han-myeong

Hwang Seong-gyeong^[I] is a fictional Korean character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. He made his first appearance in Soul Edge and has returned for Soul Calibur and Soul Calibur III. Prior to Soul Calibur III, his name was written as Hwang Sung Kyung.

1 Biography
2 Weapons
3 Stages
4 Trivia
5 Series' Appearances
6 Notes
7 External links

[edit] Biography

Hwang Seong-gyeong had been born to parents who, while poor, had a strong sense of justice. However, this resolve was what led to their downfall. He grew up hardened and eventually enrolled himself in the Seong Dojang to learn to use the long sword. It didn't take him long to become the best student in the dojang and was eventually deemed good enough to be taught a private lesson by the master himself, Seong Han-myeong. The master was happy to have such a gifted student and was even considering adopting him as his son. However, he never had a chance to do so, and his daughter, Seong Mi-na, was only friends with Hwang, with mutual lack of desire to make the relationship anything more than friendship. Facing increasing incursions from Japanese raiders, a coast guard was quickly formed and led by Admiral Lee Sun Shin, with Hwang as the first to volunteer. Rumours of Soul Edge, deemed the "Sword of Salvation", spread to Korea, and Lee Sun Shin sent him to go and find it.

On his quest to find the "Sword of Salvation," he received news of an impending Japanese invasion of his homeland. He cut his search short and returned home, dragging Seong Mi-na, who had run away to find the Soul Edge herself, home with him. He rejoined the Coast Guard as commander, but shortly thereafter, he received news from a new recruit, Kong Xiuqiang, that Mi-na had run away again. Angered and worried by this, he lost his better judgment and led his crew into a trap set by the pirates of the Ryūkyū Kingdom, and many lives were lost. Lee Sun Shin sympathized with his worry over Mi-na's well-being, but was nevertheless obliged to dismiss him from the Coast Guard. Instead, he gave him a new set of orders. He was to aid Seong Han-myeong by finding Mi-na, under the guise of searching for the "Sword of Salvation." He immediately set off to the west once again, and, upon finding her, was told of the true nature of Soul Edge. Deciding that Korea would no longer rely on legends to save itself--that it could rely on its own strength--he dragged Mi-na home with one goal in mind: to rejoin the Coastal Forces in guarding against the impending Japanese invasion.

During his second quest Hwang learned that Soul Edge was evil, so he made a report to his superiors about the matter. Sadly that only served to tarnish his reputation. Admiral Lee Sun Shin dismissed him and forced him to return Blue Thunder, as punishment. Hwang left the garrison and stayed in his master's dojo, until one day when someone appeared in the exercise hall. He captured the stranger and upon interrogating him he found out that he was a spy from Japan, who claimed that Japan was in search of Soul Edge too. Since no one in the Coastal Defense has the knowledge of foreign lands and the experience from previous trips, Hwang was selected to carry on the new mission: find and stop the agent from Japan from finding Soul Edge, and bring the sword if possible. Lee Sun Shin handed him Blue Thunder again, and Hwang understood the meaning of this mission, to save his country. Before beginning his quest, he went to the Capital and stole the fragments gathered there, since he wouldn't leave his beloved country with anxiety in his heart. He then headed towards the West, knowing that both Yun-Seong, a student of the Seong Dojo, and Seong Mi-na were in a similar quest. He hopes to join forces with them and together destroy the evil blade once and for all.

[edit] Weapons

-- Blue Storm

A Tang Dynasty Chinese long sword passed through the Seong family from generation to generation. It was handed to Hwang by Seong Han-myeong himself, and he carried it during his first quest to search for Soul Edge. Once he returned from his search, he handed it back to his master. This weapon has no special effects.

-- Blue Thunder

A Chinese blade handed to him by Admiral Lee Sun Shin. The sword was given to Shin in his youth by Seong Han-myeong, who descended from a clan famous for his military skills and now trains Hwang as his master. Hwang was forced to return it after his second search for Soul Edge ended in failure, but it was given back to him at the arrival of his new mission. Blue Thunder however has no special effects.

[edit] Stages

-- Desert Path (SB)

A desertic path that stretches in the middle of Asia. Its completely barren and desolate, aside from the ruins of an ancient Chinese fortress, who is now buried in the sands. This road is the most dangerous passage to the travelers who choose to avoid the dangerous sea route. It is truly and extremely cruel passage.

-- Silk Road Ruins (SC)

The prosperous oasis cities in the shirt of the Takla Makan were important relay stations for caravans crossing the Silk Road. Merchants rested and enjoyed these cities as they chased the profits of trade. This remain constructed in a cave deep within a valley lay but one day's travel by wagon from a near by oasis city. Rumor has it that a rich merchant, fond of life away from the rush of city life, built this remain. As if to prove the rumour the halls and floors are decorated with expensive lazurite and malachite. (Note: Known as Remain in the Desert in the arcade version).

-- Silk Road Ruin (SC3:AE)

The south path through the western countries is one of the steepest parts of the Silk Road. Near the entrance on the west side lies an especially eye-catching ruin that serves as a landmark to travelers. It is said that the building was build by a wealthy merchant during the time when this region was still the centermost route along the Silk Road. In everything from the patterns on the pillars to the decorations on the walls to the materials used in the floors, one can see the mix of Eastern and Western culture typical of a Silk Road ruin.
(Note: Originally Lizardman's stage in the console version)

[edit] Trivia

Hwang was absent from Soul Calibur II, and was replaced by a character named Assassin. Assassin's style is based on Hwang's Soul Calibur fighting style. Assassin's profile shows that "someone acted behind the Assassin clan" heavily hinting that "someone" was acting on their back. Some people believe Hwang disguised himself as a member of the clan to rebel his Korean army duties and follow Mi-Na and Yun-Seong. Some further evidences are the fact that he still has Hwang's trademark move since Soul Blade, his Machinegun Kick (B+G standard throw) and that there's a "H" written on his belt.
In Soul Calibur III Hwang is a Bonus Character. His 1P outfit was made using some parts from the Create-a-Fighter mode which resemble his standard Soul Calibur outfit. His 2P outfit is based on his default Soul Edge attire. Hwang represents the Custom Discipline "Chinese Sword".
Hwang appears as a standard fighter in Soul Calibur III: Arcade Edition along with fellow Bonus Characters Li Long, and Amy, and with an updated movelist.
In Tales of Souls Hwang can be found as a "Prepare to Defend Yourself" challenge in both Ling-Sheng Su Temple Ruins (Seong Mi-na's stage) and Silk Road Ruins (Lizardman's stage).
In Soul Edge, Hwang's style was Seong Style Longsword, the same as Seong Mi-na and Seong Han-myeong.
Originally, Hwang was present in Soul Edge as a secret character and used a style identical to that of Mitsurugi's. When Soul Edge: Version II (Soul Blade) was released, he was given his own style.
In design sketches of Hwang in Soul Edge, he's shown using a Zhanmadao like Seong Mi-na, a katana and even bladed Nunchaku, like Li Long.
In Korean Soul Edge Arcades, Hwang takes Mitsurugi's spot in the select screen. Similarly, in Soul Calibur arcades he takes Xianghua's spot as a starting character, while she takes his spot as a Time-Release character.
Many of Hwang's new moves for Soul Calibur were borrowed from fellow Korean Hwoarang from the Tekken series.
Hwang's nickname in Soul Edge was "Hero in a War-like Age" and in Soul Calibur it was "Burning Patriot".
Hwang's Destined Battle in both Soul Calibur and Soul Calibur III (Quick Play) is Seong Mi-na. Alternatively in Soul Calibur if Seong Mi-na isn't unlocked, his Destined Battle is Maxi.