‘Drunken Master’ Kicking Legend Dies: Veteran Action Star Hwang Jang-lee Was 82

Veteran action actor Hwang Jang-lee has died.

‘Action legend’ Hwang Jang-lee dies at 82

According to a Nov. 12 social media post by Kim Jin-yong, former chairman of the Hwang Jang-lee World Martial Arts Federation, and reports from the film industry, actor and federation president Hwang Jang-lee has died. He collapsed at home and was taken to the hospital, but never recovered. He died at 82.

An unmistakable legacy as Yim Tit-sam in ‘Drunken Master’

Hwang Jang-lee was an action actor who gained widespread popularity for playing the villain Yim Tit-sam in the 1978 film 〈Drunken Master〉, starring Jackie Chan. A former taekwondo instructor, Hwang made his acting debut in 1974. He later entered Hong Kong’s film industry and appeared in around 300 films, including Jackie Chan’s movies. His appearance in 〈Drunken Master〉 left a lasting impression, with his long hair and mustache becoming iconic and making a deep impression on Korean audiences as well. He later worked not only as an action actor but also as a martial arts director, demonstrating his lifelong passion for martial arts and action.

A lifelong devotion to martial arts and taekwondo

He was particularly passionate about promoting taekwondo to Hong Kong action actors, and in 2021, he was appointed a goodwill ambassador for Kukkiwon. He also founded the Hwang Jang-lee World Martial Arts Federation and worked to promote international martial arts exchanges and the spread of taekwondo.