Hwang Jang Lee

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This is a Korean name; the family name is Hwang.
Hwang Jang Lee
Born (1944-12-21) December 21, 1944
Aomori, Honshu, Japan
Occupation Martial artist, actor
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 December 21, 1944) is a Japanese-born Korean martial artist and film actor. Hwang is perhaps best known for his role as "Thunderleg" in 1978's Drunken Master, "Sheng Kuan" in 1978's Snake in the Eagle's Shadow and Wong Chin in 1981's Hitman in the Hand of Buddha. Variations of his name include Wong Cheng Lee and Wong Cheng Li, in the Cantonese Chinese equivalents. His nicknames are Silver Fox (the name of his most popular movie character); "Thunderleg" and "Thunderfoot" (from his role in 1978 film Drunken Master).

Early life

Hwang was born in Aomori, Honshu Island, Japan to Korean parents. His family moved back to Korea when he was a baby.

Martial arts

Hwang took Tae kwon do lessons from age 14 and achieved his 7th dan (rank) black belt. In 1965 at age 21, Hwang, he became a martial arts instructor for the Korean and South Vietnamese Armies, specializing in Tae kwon do. In January 2003, Hwang received his 9th dan black belt in Taekwondo. In addition, he currently holds a 9th dan rank with the World Tang Soo Do General Federation.

Hwang still actively teaches martial arts. He is currently an instructor with the World Tang Soo Do General Federation and serves as Technical Advisor.[1] He recently has completed a tour of the USA and Canada in which he, along with other Korean grand masters, promoted the study and practice of traditional martial arts.[2]

Career

Acting

Hwang began his acting career in Korean movies. In 1976, Ng See-yuen offered Hwang employment in Hong Kong. Hwang took the lead in many martial arts movies, usually playing a villain. The Secret Rivals was the first film where Hwang appeared as the "Silver Fox". Hwang's nicknames, "King of the Legfighters" and "Thunderleg" relate to his style of martial arts performance where he uses his legs in a particular way.

In the mid 1970s, Hwang performed in two Jackie Chan movies Snake in the Eagle's Shadow and Drunken Master. as "Sheng Kuan" and "Thunderfoot" ("Thunderleg"). In 2002, Mike Leeder, a writer and producer, interviewed Hwang for the "Contender films" Hong Kong Legends DVD range.

Directing

In 1981, Hwang directed his first movie, Hitman in the Hand of Buddha, and credited as Wong Chin.

Other films and retirement from acting

In the early 1990s, Hwang returned to South Korea, where he ran a golf-tee manufacturing company and an hotel in Seoul. Later on, Hwang managed a bodyguard agency. Since then he has made only occasional film appearances, in movies such as Emperor of the Underworld (1994) and Boss (1996). In July 1996, Hwang retired from acting at the age of 51.

Return to acting

After a long absence from acting, Hwang appeared in the TV Series The Return of Iljimae. Hwang featured in the documentary film, "The Anonymous King" in which Jon James Hodson examines Hwang's personal life in Seoul, Korea and Hong Kong.

Filmography

Movies

  • Secret Envoy (1974)
  • Black Dragon River aka Martial mates (1975)
  • Viper aka Venomous snake (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)
  • The Fearless Duo aka Fearless Master Fighter (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)
  • Buddhist fist and tiger claws (1980)
  • 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 (1980)
  • Sangwoon (1980)
  • Challenge of the Tiger (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)
  • Ninja in the Dragon's Den (1982)
  • Kid from Kwangtung (1982)
  • Secret Executioners (1982)
  • Raging Masters Tiger Crane (1983)
  • Eagle vs. Silver Fox (1983)
  • 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)
  • 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)

Director

  • Hitman in the Hand of Buddha (1981)
  • Canton Viper (1983)
  • Not Again! (1990)

Documentaries

  • Art of High Impact Kicking (1982)

Television series

References

  1. ↑ http://www.moodukwonkorea.org/MDW13_Board_of_directors.pdf
  2. ↑ http://www.tangsoodoworld.com/photogallery/Grandmasters_From_Korea_and_Malaysia_Visit_Canada.htm

External links

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