Hwang Jang-lee explained

Birth Date:1944 12, df=yes
Birth Place:Aomori, Honshu, Japan
Years Active:1974–1996; 2009
Occupation:Martial artist, actor
Module:
Child:yes
Headercolor:transparent
Hangul:황정리
Hanja:黃正利
Rr:Hwang Jeong-ri
Mr:Hwang Chŏngri

Hwang Jang-lee (; born 21 December 1944) is a Korean martial artist and actor best known for his Hong Kong martial arts films. He is a ninth-dan grandmaster in Tang Soo Do and Taekwondo who began training in 1957.[1] Prior to his acting career, Hwang was a martial arts instructor for the Korean military in Vietnam.[2]

Hwang began his acting career in 1974. In 1976, he was offered employment in Hong Kong by Ng See-yuen, where he appeared in the kung fu film Secret Rivals as the villain Silver Fox, a role he reprised in several other films, most notably Secret Rivals 2 (1977). He gained prominence for appearing in the films Drunken Master (1978) and Snake in the Eagle's Shadow (1978), both opposite Jackie Chan, and Hitman in the Hand of Buddha (1981), which marked his directorial debut.[3] [4] He collaborated with Corey Yuen on several films, including Snuff Bottle Connection, Secret Rivals 2, The Invincible Armour (all 1977), Dance of the Drunk Mantis (1979), Ninja in the Dragon's Den (1982), and Millionaire's Express (1986). His other films include Hell's Wind Staff (both 1979), Two Fists Against the Law, Buddha Assassinator (both 1980), and Game of Death 2 (1981).

Hwang is a martial arts instructor with the World Tang Soo Do General Federation and serves as technical adviser. Among his most notable students is Roy Horan, who appeared with Hwang in several films.

Early life

Hwang was born in Aomori, Honshu Island, Japan to Korean parents. His father owned a shipping company and moved his family back to Korea when Hwang was a baby.[5]

Martial arts and philosophy

Hwang began learning Taekwondo from age 14 and received a seventh dan (rank) black belt. In 1965 at age 21, he became a martial arts instructor for the Korean and South Vietnamese armies, specializing in taekwondo. In addition, he holds a ninth dan rank with the World Tang Soo Do General Federation.[6]

Hwang still teaches martial arts. He is an instructor with the World Tang Soo Do General Federation and serves as technical adviser.[7] Among his most notable students is Roy Horan, who appeared with Hwang in several films and also directed the instructional video series The Art of High Impact Kicking (1982), based on Hwang's taekwondo techniques.[8] [9] In 2013, Hwang completed a tour of the U.S. and Canada in which he, along with other Korean Grandmasters, promoted the study and practice of traditional martial arts.[10]

Stressing powerful kicks coming from the hips, Hwang said, "You know my legs are just normal, there's nothing special about them. When I train I always use my hips, use the circular motion… the hips is where the power comes from. Then I kick like this… and like this… it's all coming from the hips."[11]

He considers Jackie Chan, Yuen Biao, Lo Lieh, Ti Lung, and Sammo Hung as the top five kung-fu fighters.[12]

A critic of Olympic Taekwondo, Hwang has stated: "You know this is very different, Taekwondo, you know, it's for killing people… Taekwondo in the Olympics, it's a sport, you know, it's not a martial arts, so I don't really like this style. For me Taekwondo is a martial art."[13]

Acting

Hwang began his acting career in Korea. In 1976, Ng See-yuen offered Hwang employment in Hong Kong, where he first appeared in Secret Rivals as the villain Silver Fox.[14] Hwang had major roles in many martial arts movies, usually playing the villaine. His nicknames "King of the Legfighters" and "Thunder Leg" attest to his use of his legs in a particular way.

In the mid-1970s, Hwang appeared in two Jackie Chan movies, Snake in the Eagle's Shadow as Sheng Kuan and Drunken Master as Thunderfoot (Thunder Leg). In 2002, writer-producer Mike Leeder interviewed Hwang for the Contender Hong Kong Legends DVD series.

Directing

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

Other work and retirement from acting

In 1987, Hwang trained German actor Matthias Hues in preparation for the latter's film debut as Yuri the Russian in No Retreat, No Surrender 2. Cast at the suggestion of producer Roy Horan, a student of Hwang, Hues had no martial arts experience and trained under Hwang. Hues enjoyed the experience so much that upon arrival in Los Angeles, he continued training in martial arts throughout his career. In the film, Hwang's opening scene of a firing squad was cut from the U.S. version. Hwang would play Yuri's enforcer, Gen. Ty, who engages in a brief fight against Cynthia Rothrock.

In 1989, taekwondo grandmaster Jun Chong invited Hwang to the U.S. to appear as a villain in the film Street Soldiers. To bring an international flavor to the movie, Hwang is credited as Jason Hwang, using his son's name. In the early 1990s, Hwang returned to South Korea, where he ran a golf tee manufacturer and a hotel in Seoul. He later managed a private security agency. He has since made occasional film appearances such as in Emperor of the Underworld (1994) and Boss (1996). In July 1996, Hwang retired from acting at age 51.

Return to acting

After a long absence from acting, Hwang in 2009 appeared in the TV series The Return of Iljimae. He was also featured in the documentary "The Anonymous King," in which Jon James Hodson examines Hwang's personal life in Seoul, Korea and Hong Kong.

Filmography

Movies

YearTitleRoleNotes
1974 Secret Envoy
Black LeopardTortured Hero
Korean ConnectionKazio (Yamamoto's Guard)
Korean Connection 2
Left Foot of Wrath
1975 ViperVenomous Snake
Year of the DragonHero's Father / Final Challenge Fighter Kill the Shogun
Invitation From Hell
Fury of the Sun
Death GamePaeng Mar Kow Mortal Battle
Jailhouse
1976Secret Agent Drunkard Student
Secret RivalsSilver Fox
Bruce Lee's SecretJin Yong Ji
Bruce Lee Fights Back from the Grave
Shaolin Wooden MenBrief Appearance
Black Dragon River The Martialmates
1977Secret Rivals 2Chin Hu (Gold Fox)
Invincible ArmourMinister Cheng
Heroes of ShaolinTien Lung-Chong Heroes of the Wild
Snuff Bottle ConnectionGeneral Shantung (Magistrate)
The Instant Kung Fu ManYi Lang
1978Great Martial Arts Teacher
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow Master Shang Kuan Yin
Drunken Master"Thunderleg" Yen Tieh Hsin (Thunderfoot)
1979The Fearless DuoGhost Leg Killer Fearless Master Fighter
Dance of the Drunk MantisRubber Legs
Hell's Wind StaffLu Shan Tu The Dragon and the Tiger Kids
36 Deadly StylesCheung Sze (First Brother)
Dragon's ClawsLing Ko Fung
The Eagle's KillerGhost Hand Lo Hsin
Demon StrikeChai Chau-Tien (Lord) Death Duel of Silver Fox
1980Lackey and the Lady TigerSek Ba
Two Fists Against the LawMaster Tai
Tiger Over WallChu
Young HeroLeader of Japanese Invaders
Two HeroesSangwoong
The Ring of DeathRussian Fighter
Buddha AssassinatorPrince Yi
Challenge of the TigerComrade Yang
Eagle vs. Silver FoxSa Sung (Silver Fox)
Martial Monks of Shaolin TempleKurt Wong, Chief of Wudong School Champ vs. Champ
1981Hitman in the Hand of BuddhaWong Chin Director, Producer
Game of Death IIChin Ku
The Phantom Thief(as Jeong-ri Hwang)
Buddhist Fist & Tiger ClawsHalf Piece of Map
Return of the Deadly BladeKam (Invincible Golden Rings) Guest Star (Brief Appearance)
Hard BastardRaging Rivals
1982Blood ChildWong Hung Five Fingers of Steel
Ninja Strikes BackWang Fei
Ninja in the Dragon's DenWizard Kung Fu Master
Secret Ninja, Roaring TigerTiger So
Kid from Kwang TungLuo Yihu
Secret Executioners
Masters of Tiger CraneSilver Fox / Keum-wung (Villain)
Eagle Claw vs. Butterfly PalmSing Kun's Master
1983Five Pattern Dragon ClawKam Fu Thunderfist
Duel of Ultimate WeaponsDong Wan / Ki-ryong
Ghosts GaloreJapanese Magician
Canton ViperKal Ma-ryong Kwangdong Viper
Angry Young ManMaster Kang
1984Shaolin: The Blood MissionDan Bang / General Yuen Fong
1985Ninja TerminatorTiger Uninvited Guest (Footage)
1986The First Vampire in ChinaGhost of March
The Innocent InterloperPaleface
Where's Officer TubaExtortion Gang Member (Blackmailer)
Millionaire's ExpressYukio Fushiki
1987Iron AngelsBoss Chang Lung Fighting Madam
Magnificent WarriorsGeneral Toga's Henchman (Collaborator) Dynamite Fighters
No Retreat, No Surrender 2Ty
1988Bed CompanionLee Chiu Sin
Future HuntersSilverfox
1989Darkside of ChinatownSheung Siu Tung's Hitman
Live HardChief Inspector Terry Chiu
1991Street SoldiersTok
1994Emperor of the UnderworldYoo, Deok-pal Director
1996BossSeong Cheon

Director

Documentaries

Television series

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tang Soo do World . 2013-10-30 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131102090609/http://www.tangsoodoworld.com/photogallery/Grandmasters_From_Korea_and_Malaysia_Visit_Canada.htm . 2013-11-02 .
  2. Web site: Tang Soo do World . 2013-10-30 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131102090609/http://www.tangsoodoworld.com/photogallery/Grandmasters_From_Korea_and_Malaysia_Visit_Canada.htm . 2013-11-02 .
  3. Web site: Exclusive: Interview with Hwang Jang-lee . PDF . Cityonfire.com . 2016-09-17.
  4. Web site: Hwang Jang-lee interview - easternkicks.com. 18 September 2014. Easternkicks.com. 2016-09-17.
  5. Web site: Profile of Hwang Jang Lee . 18 March 2014 .
  6. Web site: Tang Soo do World . 2013-10-30 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131102090609/http://www.tangsoodoworld.com/photogallery/Grandmasters_From_Korea_and_Malaysia_Visit_Canada.htm . 2013-11-02 .
  7. Web site: THE WORLD TANG SOO DO GENERAL FEDERATION : List of Board of Directors . Moodukwonkorea.org . 2016-09-17.
  8. https://cityonfire.com/exclusive-cityonfire-interview-with-hwang-jang-lee/
  9. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/roy-horan-star-game-death-121458062.html
  10. Web site: Tang Soo do World . 2013-10-30 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131102090609/http://www.tangsoodoworld.com/photogallery/Grandmasters_From_Korea_and_Malaysia_Visit_Canada.htm . 2013-11-02 .
  11. https://cityonfire.com/exclusive-cityonfire-interview-with-hwang-jang-lee/
  12. https://cityonfire.com/exclusive-cityonfire-interview-with-hwang-jang-lee/
  13. https://cityonfire.com/exclusive-cityonfire-interview-with-hwang-jang-lee/
  14. Book: Rovin. Jeff. The Essential Jackie Chan Sourcebook. Tracy. Kathy. Pocket Books. 1997. 9780671008437. New York.