Hwang Jang-lee
Born (1944-12-21) December 21, 1944
Occupation(s)Martial artist, actor
Years active1974–1996; 2009
Korean name
Hangul
황정리
Hanja
黃正利
Revised RomanizationHwang Jeong-ri
McCune–ReischauerHwang Chǒngri

Hwang Jang-lee (Korean: 황정리; born December 21, 1944) is a Japanese-born Korean martial artist and actor. He is a 9th-dan grandmaster in Tang Soo Do and Taekwondo who began training in 1957.[1][2] Prior to his acting career, he was a martial arts instructor for the Korean military in Vietnam.[3] As an 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.[4][5] He is famed for his kicking repertoire and wire-free jumping triple kicks.[6] 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 the 1978 film Drunken Master).

Early life

Hwang was born in Aomori, Honshu Island, Japan to Korean parents. His father owned a shipping company. His family moved back to Korea when he was a baby.[7]

Martial arts

Hwang took Taekwondo lessons from age 14 and achieved his 7th dan (rank) black belt. In 1965 at age 21, Hwang became a martial arts instructor for the Korean and South Vietnamese Armies, specializing in taekwondo. At one point, Hwang killed a soldier who attacked him with a knife by kicking his foe in the temple. He was never charged as it was deemed to be a legitimate self defence.[8] In January 2003, Hwang received his 9th dan black belt in taekwondo.[9] In addition, he currently holds a 9th dan rank with the World Tang Soo Do General Federation.[10]

Hwang still actively teaches martial arts. He is currently an instructor with the World Tang Soo Do General Federation and serves as Technical Advisor.[11] He recently has completed a tour of the US and Canada in which he, along with other Korean Grandmasters, promoted the study and practice of traditional martial arts.[12]

Career

Acting

Hwang began his acting career in Korean movies. In 1976, Ng See-yuen offered Hwang employment in Hong Kong, where he first appeared in Secret Rivals as the villain Silver Fox.[13]:249 Hwang took the lead in many martial arts movies, usually playing an antagonist. 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 was credited as Wong Chin.

Other films and retirement from acting

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

In 1989, taekwondo grandmaster Jun Chong invited Hwang to come to the United States to appear as a villain in the film Street Soldiers. To bring an international flavor to the film, Hwang is credited in the film as "Jason Hwang", named after his son. 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

Year Title Role Notes
1974Secret Envoy
Black LeopardTortured Hero
Korean ConnectionKazio (Yamamoto's Guard)
Korean Connection 2
Left Foot of Wrath
1975ViperVenomous Snake
Year of the DragonHero's Father / Final Challenge FighterKill the Shogun
Invitation From Hell
Fury of the Sun
Death GamePaeng Mar KowMortal Battle
Jailhouse
1976Secret AgentDrunkard Student
Secret RivalsSilver Fox
Bruce Lee's SecretJin Yong Ji
Bruce Lee Fights Back from the Grave
Shaolin Wooden MenBrief Appearance
Black Dragon RiverThe Martialmates
1977Secret Rivals 2Chin Hu (Gold Fox)
Invincible ArmourMinister Cheng
Heroes of ShaolinTien Lung-ChongHeroes of the Wild
Snuff Bottle ConnectionGeneral Shantung (Magistrate)
The Instant Kung Fu ManYi Lang
1978Great Martial Arts Teacher
Snake in the Eagle's ShadowMaster Shang Kuan Yin
Drunken Master"Thunderleg" Yen Tieh Hsin (Thunderfoot)
1979The Fearless DuoGhost Leg KillerFearless Master Fighter
Dance of the Drunk MantisRubber Legs
Hell's Wind StaffLu Shan TuThe 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 SchoolChamp vs. Champ
1981Hitman in the Hand of BuddhaWong ChinDirector, 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 HungFive 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 FuThunderfist
Duel of Ultimate WeaponsDong Wan / Ki-ryong
Ghosts GaloreJapanese Magician
Canton ViperKal Ma-ryongKwangdong Viper
Angry Young ManMaster Kang
1984Shaolin: The Blood MissionDan Bang / General Yuen Fong
1985Ninja TerminatorTigerUninvited 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 LungFighting 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-palDirector
1996BossSeong Cheon

Director

Documentaries

  • Art of High Impact Kicking (1982)
  • The Good Bad Boy (2014)

Television series

References

  1. "Tang Soo do World". Archived from the original on 2013-11-02. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
  2. https://kungfukingdom.com/profile-hwang-jang-lee/amp/
  3. "Tang Soo do World". Archived from the original on 2013-11-02. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
  4. "Exclusive: Interview with Hwang Jang-lee" (PDF). Cityonfire.com. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
  5. "Hwang Jang-lee interview - easternkicks.com". Easternkicks.com. 18 September 2014. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
  6. https://kungfukingdom.com/profile-hwang-jang-lee/amp/
  7. https://kungfukingdom.com/profile-hwang-jang-lee/amp/
  8. https://kungfukingdom.com/profile-hwang-jang-lee/amp/
  9. https://kungfukingdom.com/profile-hwang-jang-lee/amp/
  10. "Tang Soo do World". Archived from the original on 2013-11-02. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
  11. "THE WORLD TANG SOO DO GENERAL FEDERATION : List of Board of Directors" (PDF). Moodukwonkorea.org. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
  12. "Tang Soo do World". Archived from the original on 2013-11-02. Retrieved 2013-10-30.
  13. Rovin, Jeff; Tracy, Kathy (1997). The Essential Jackie Chan Sourcebook. New York: Pocket Books. ISBN 9780671008437.
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