Hwang Jang Lee is a
KoreaKorea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n
martial artistMartial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
and actor. Hwang is perhaps best known as Sheng Kuan in 1978 film
Snake in the Eagle's ShadowSnake in the Eagle's Shadow is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts action film directed by Yuen Woo-ping his directorial debut, who has since gained international stardom as the action choreographer for films such as Iron Monkey, Fist of Legend, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Matrix series, Kill...
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 foxSilver Fox is a fictional character, a human in the Marvel Comics universe.- Fictional character biography :Silver Fox is a lover of Wolverine who first appeared in Wolverine vol.2 #10, where she is killed by Sabretooth...
(the name of his most popular movie character), as well as "Thunderleg" or "Thunderfoot" (from his role in 1978 film
Drunken MasterDrunken Master, also known as Drunk Monkey In The Tiger's Eye, is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts comedy film directed by Yuen Woo-ping, and starring Jackie Chan, Yuen Siu-tien, and Hwang Jang Lee...
). Contrary to popular belief, Master Hwang was not born in Osaka, nor was he born in Korea. He was born to Korean parents in Aomori, Honshu Island, Japan. His family moved back to Korea when he was a baby.
Acting
Hwang began to take up
taekwondoTaekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
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-
VietnamVietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
ese armies, specializing in taekwondo from 1965. After acting in Korean movies, he came to work in
Hong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
in 1976 at the invitation of
Ng See-yuenNg See-yuen, born 1944 in Shanghai is a Chinese director of independent film companies in Hong Kong. He has worked in the Hong Kong film industry since 1970, particularly in Hong Kong action cinema, with roles including film director, producer and screenwriter.Ng is the chairman of the Federation...
, 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 ChanJackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
movies they were:
Snake in the Eagle's ShadowSnake in the Eagle's Shadow is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts action film directed by Yuen Woo-ping his directorial debut, who has since gained international stardom as the action choreographer for films such as Iron Monkey, Fist of Legend, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Matrix series, Kill...
and
Drunken MasterDrunken Master, also known as Drunk Monkey In The Tiger's Eye, is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts comedy film directed by Yuen Woo-ping, and starring Jackie Chan, Yuen Siu-tien, and Hwang Jang Lee...
in the same year 1978.
Other films
Hwang has appeared in many other Hong Kong and Korean films such as
Dance of the Drunk MantisDance of the Drunk Mantis is a 1979 Hong Kong kung fu comedy film directed by Yuen Siu Tien’s real life son Yuen Woo-ping, starring Yuen Siu Tien, Hwang Jang Lee, Linda Lin, Yuen Shun Yee, Charlie Shek and Yuen Kwai...
,
No Retreat, No Surrender 2No Retreat, No Surrender 2 is an American Hong Kong martial arts film directed in 1987 by Corey Yuen. This film does not continue the story of the original No Retreat, No Surrender...
and
Game of Death IIGame of Death II is a 1981 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Ng See-yuen, starring Tong Lung, Huong Cheng Li, Roy Horan, To Wai Wo and Lee Hoi San. This film was marketed as a sequel to Bruce Lee's last and partially completed film Game of Death...
. 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 KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, 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 LeederMike Leeder is a film producer born and raised in the United Kingdom, but based in Hong Kong since 1990. He has built a solid networrk and reputation in the Film and TV industry throughout Hong Kong, China, and the rest of Asia....
in an interview intended for the
Hong Kong LegendsHong Kong Legends was a United Kingdom DVD distribution company, based in Hertfordshire and operating from the UK and Australia between 1999 and 2007...
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".
In 2010, Hwang Jeong-Ri gave his most in-depth interview to date in the film "The Anonymous King", which follows Jon-James Hodson as he attempts to find Hwang Jeong-Ri in his native Seoul. The film contains interviews with family and old cast members and is filmed on location in Korea and Hong Kong.
Return to acting
In 2009, Hwang returned to acting in TV series
Return of Iljimae for the first time since 1996.
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
Secret Rivals aka Northern Leg, Southern Fist aka Silver Fox Rivals is a 1976 kung fu film directed by James Nam and Ng See Yuen and starring Hwang Jang Lee, John Liu and Wong Tao.-Plot:...
(1976)
- Bruce Lee's Secret
Bruce Lee's Secret is a 1976 Bruceploitation martial arts film, which is also a pseudo-biopic of Bruce Lee. It stars Bruce Li as "Bob" Lee, whose life is essentially the same as Lee's and is on two occasions actually referred to as 'Bruce'...
(1976)
- Shaolin Wooden Men (1976)
- The Invincible Armour
Invincible Armor is a 1977 kung fu film starring Hwang Jang Lee, John Liu and Phillip Ko.-Plot:The Emperor's Minister of State Cheng, an authoritarian ruler, arranges for Hu Lung, one of his old students to distract General Chow while he assassinates the leader of the Ming rebels. Chow hunts for Hu...
(1977)
- The Secret Rivals 2
Secret Rivals 2 aka Silver Fox Rivals II is a 1977 Hong Kong martial arts-action film starring Hwang Jang Lee, John Liu and Tino Wong.-Plot:Picking up almost exactly where the original "Secret Rivals" ended: the death of the dreaded Silver Fox...
(1977)
- Instant Kung Fu Man (1977)
- Snuff Bottle Connection
Snuff Bottle Connection is a 1977 martial arts-action film starring Hwang Jang Lee, John Liu and Roy Horan.-Plot:The Russians are consorting with the traitorous Manchus, who plan to turn over a map of the strategic points the Russians could use to invade Chinese territories...
(1977)
- Snake in the Eagle's Shadow
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts action film directed by Yuen Woo-ping his directorial debut, who has since gained international stardom as the action choreographer for films such as Iron Monkey, Fist of Legend, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Matrix series, Kill...
(1978)
- Drunken Master
Drunken Master, also known as Drunk Monkey In The Tiger's Eye, is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts comedy film directed by Yuen Woo-ping, and starring Jackie Chan, Yuen Siu-tien, and Hwang Jang Lee...
(1978)
- Hell's Wind Staff
Hell's Wind Staff is a popular 1979 kung fu film.-Plot:Two young kung fu experts are terrorized by an evil warlord whose weapon is known as the Hell's Wind Staff...
(1979)
- 36 Deadly Styles
36 Deadly Styles is a 1980 independent released martial arts film directed by Joseph Kuo starring Jack Long, Mark Long, and Hwang Jang Lee.- Plot :...
(1979)
- Dragon's Claws (1979)
- Demon Strike (1979)
- Heroes of Shaolin
Heroes of Shaolin aka Heroes of the Wild is the Americanized title for the 1977 Hong Kong kung fu epic 'Daai miu si yue siu piu haak'. The two-part story was directed by William Chang and co-written by Chang and relatively unknown kung-fu film writer Chang Hsin Yee...
(1979)
- Dance of the Drunk Mantis
Dance of the Drunk Mantis is a 1979 Hong Kong kung fu comedy film directed by Yuen Siu Tien’s real life son Yuen Woo-ping, starring Yuen Siu Tien, Hwang Jang Lee, Linda Lin, Yuen Shun Yee, Charlie Shek and Yuen Kwai...
(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
Buddha Assassinator aka Shogun Massacre is a 1979 martial arts film directed by Chin Woo Tung, starring Korean kicker Hwang Jang Lee.-Plot:...
(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
Game of Death II is a 1981 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Ng See-yuen, starring Tong Lung, Huong Cheng Li, Roy Horan, To Wai Wo and Lee Hoi San. This film was marketed as a sequel to Bruce Lee's last and partially completed film Game of Death...
(1981)
- Ninja Strikes Back (1982)
- Art of High Impact Kicking (1982)
- Ninja in the Dragon's Den
Ninja in the Dragon's Den is a 1982 Hong Kong martial arts film written and directed by Corey Yuen made his directorial debut, and starring Conan Lee, Hiroyuki Sanada and Hwang Jang Lee.-Plot:...
(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
Millionaire's Express aka. Shanghai Express is a 1986 Hong Kong martial arts action western film written and directed by Sammo Hung. Film starred Hung, Yuen Biao, Rosamund Kwan, Mei-sheng Fan and Hwang Jang Lee.-Plot:...
(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)
External links