Hwang Jang-lee

Quick Facts: Who was Hwang Jang-lee?

Subject:

Hwang Jang-lee

Known for:

South Korean martial artist and actor, renowned for his villain roles in Hong Kong cinema.

Born:

1944-12-21

Century / Era:

1944s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Hwang Jang-lee (Korean: 황정리; born 21 December 1944) is a South 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. Prior to his acting career, Hwang was a martial arts instructor for the Korean military in Vietnam. 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).

Career & Major Achievements

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. He collaborated with Hong Kong filmmaker 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 Millionaires Express (1986). His other films include Hell's Wind Staff, Buddha Assassinator (both 1979), Two Fists Against the Law (1980), and Game of Death II (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.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

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

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1944 (1944-12-21): Birth of Hwang Jang-lee — South Korean martial artist and actor, renowned for his villain roles in Hong Kong cinema.
2. 1957: 1957 Milestone — He is a ninth-dan grandmaster in Tang Soo Do and Taekwondo who began training in 1957.
3. 1965: 1965 Milestone — In 1965 at 21, he became a martial arts instructor for the Republic of Korea and South Vietnamese armies, specializing in taekwondo.
4. 1974: 1974 Milestone — Hwang began his acting career in 1974.
5. 1976: 1976 Milestone — 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).
6. 1977: 1977 Milestone — He collaborated with Hong Kong filmmaker 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 Millionaires Express (1986).
7. 1978: 1978 Milestone — 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.
8. 1979: 1979 Milestone — His other films include Hell's Wind Staff, Buddha Assassinator (both 1979), Two Fists Against the Law (1980), and Game of Death II (1981).

Notable Quotes by Hwang Jang-lee

“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.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Hwang Jang-lee

True or False: “Hwang Jang-lee initially trained in Taekwondo at age 14 after moving to Korea from Japan.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The text states he began learning Taekwondo from age 14, but his birth location was Aomori, Honshu Island, Japan, and he moved back to Korea when he was a baby.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Hwang Jang-lee