Eagle Han-ying (Korean name: Kim Young Il, 김영일) was a
Korean actor
An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), li ...
and
martial artist
Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense; military and law enforcement applications; competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; and the preserv ...
, who rose his fame in
South Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and sharing a Korean Demilitarized Zone, land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed ...
through various
Korean drama series from the 90. Outside of Korea, he is best known with his appearance with many kung fu films from the range of
Korean,
Hong Kong
Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China ( abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delt ...
and
Taiwanese
Taiwanese may refer to:
* Taiwanese language, another name for Taiwanese Hokkien
* Something from or related to Taiwan ( Formosa)
* Taiwanese aborigines, the indigenous people of Taiwan
* Han Taiwanese, the Han people of Taiwan
* Taiwanese people, ...
production.
Early life
At the early age, Han Ying was sent to the orphanage and was adopted by Chinese translator as well as the action director named Kim Cheong Do. Han Ying was soon to be exposed in the physical education, in particularly with the sports especially with the martial arts. At his early age he would train for Taekwondo (whom which he earned himself a black belt 24th degree) as well as the praying mantis style. Although he did not appear in any of the Shaw's production, but with his adopted father's suggestion as well as the recommendation, Han Ying would soon to be trained in
Shaw Brothers
Shaw Brothers (HK) Ltd. () was the largest film production company in Hong Kong, and operated from 1925 to 2011.
In 1925, three Shaw brothers— Runje, Runme, and Runde—founded Tianyi Film Company (also called "Unique") in Shangh ...
studio as an actor trainee for 6 years. This soon gave him more flexibility with his film careers in both South Korea and as well as countries like Hong Kong and Taiwan.
After returning to Korea, he then planned to join the army school, but due to his father's persuasion, he decided to focus his aiming on becoming an actor. He later attended
Chung-Ang University in which he studied in the field of theatre and acting major.
Film career
Han Ying made his first film appearance in 1977 Korean, Taiwan and Indonesian co-production films ''
Endless Fight'' (Pukulan Berantai), who appeared as a thug fighting oppose to
Shin Il Ryong. Following up with the Endless Fight, he then appeared in series of obscure Korean martial arts films, following with Bruceploitation film ''
Return of the Red Tiger
Return may refer to:
In business, economics, and finance
* Return on investment (ROI), the financial gain after an expense.
* Rate of return, the financial term for the profit or loss derived from an investment
* Tax return, a blank document or t ...
'' starring
Bruce Le and ''
Return of Fist of Fury''. He was often a frequent collaborator with another Taekwondo martial artist actor
Casanova Wong
Casanova Wong, also known as Ka Sat-fat (卡薩伐), is a former Korean martial arts actor born in 1945 as Kim Yong-ho in Gimje, South Korea. An expert in tae kwon do,Hammond, Stefan (2000) ''Hollywood East: Hong Kong Movies and the People Who Ma ...
, with the films such as ''
Wonderman from Shaolin'' (1977), ''
South Shaolin Vs. North Shaolin'' (1982) and even Wong's own directorial debut ''
Fire Lord'' (1981).
Around 1979, Han would also collaborate with the soon to be famous Hong Kong action star
Jackie Chan
Fang Shilong (born 7 April 1954), known professionally in English as Jackie Chan and in Chinese as Cheng Long ( zh, c=成龍, j=Sing4 Lung4; "becoming the dragon"), is a Hong Kong actor, filmmaker, martial artist, and stuntman known for ...
for twice. Both of them which worked under the
Lo Wei's Hong Kong, Korean, and Taiwanese co-production with the films such as ''
Dragon Fist'' (1979) and as well as making a guest appearance for Chan's directorial debut film ''
The Fearless Hyena
''The Fearless Hyena'' is a 1979 Hong Kong action comedy kung fu film written, directed by and starring Jackie Chan. It was Chan's directorial debut. The film was a box office success.
The film has been released under several alternative titl ...
''. Along with Chan, Han Ying would also co-star with
James Tien and
Yen Shi Kwan in both pictures.
Han Ying's talent would soon be discovered by many of the Taiwanese directors, such as
William Cheung Ki whom gave Han Ying a starring role as a villain To Ko Lam in ''
Death Duel of Kung Fu
''Death Duel of Kung Fu'' is 1979 martial art movie, directed by William Cheung Ki and starring John Liu, Don Wong Tao and Eagle Han-ying. It is also known as Showdown of the Master Warriors and Return of the Secret Rivals as an alternate title ...
'', the film that co-stars both ''
Secret Rivals
''Secret Rivals'' () a.k.a. ''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. The film was shot on location in South Korea a ...
'' star
John Liu (actor)
Liu Chungliang (Commonly credited as John Liu) is a Taiwanese actor and martial artist. He mostly appeared in low-budget Taiwanese action/martial art movies and never appeared in the higher budget Hong Kong martial arts movies from the Shaw Brot ...
and
Don Wong Tao, as well as the involvement with many of the stuntman from
Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung Kam-bo ( zh, t=洪金寶, j=Hung4 Gam1-bou2; born 7 January 1952) is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and Film director, director, known for his work in martial arts films, Hong Kong action cinema, and as a fight choreog ...
's stunt group with the likes of
Chung Fat,
Chin Yuet Sang
The chin is the forward pointed part of the anterior mandible ( mental region) below the lower lip. A fully developed human skull has a chin of between 0.7 cm and 1.1 cm.
Evolution
The presence of a well-developed chin is considered to be one ...
and
Mang Hoi.
He also worked with several of Shaw Brothers' famous leading faces as well as the stunt directors with the likes of
Gordon Liu
Gordon Liu (Lau Kar-fai ); born Sin Kam-hei () August 22, 1951) is a Chinese martial arts film actor and martial artist. He played the lead role of San Te in ''The 36th Chamber of Shaolin'' (1978) and its sequels, and later played two roles in Qu ...
and
Liu Chia Liang in Korean/Taiwanese co-production ''
Shaolin Drunken Monk'' (1981) as well as
Chang Cheh's frequent
Venom Mob
The Venom Mob is the colloquial title of a group of actors from the Shaw Brothers Studio, popular creators of martial arts films in the 1970s and 1980s. Most were friends since childhood and attended the Fu Sheng Drama School in Taiwan before m ...
Shaw Brothers' pictures' choreographer
Robert Tai with another co-production Kung fu adventure film
Ninja Vs. Shaolin Guards (1984) co-starring
Alexander Lo Rei.
Film Success
Following with the film success in Hong Kong, he equally had a cult status on the silver screen from his home country of South Korea. He would continue appearing in the martial arts action genre, in particularly after the success of comedic kung fu films from Jackie Chan's era. Han Ying would frequently collaborate with the veteran Korean director
Kim Jeong Yong as well as to co-star with the fellow Korean martial artist actor
Elton Chong
Elton Chong (real name Jeong Jin Hwa) was born in 1955 and is a Korean martial artist, action director, and actor. Elton Chong has mostly worked in South Korea with actors such as Eagle Han-ying, Casanova Wong, Michael Wong and Dragon Lee. Whi ...
.
The trio worked on at least 6 pictures together. One of which was titled ''Chef of the Shaolin Temple'' (Hangul: 소림사 주방장), also known as ''
Shaolin Drunken Monkey''(1981). The film was a huge success in South Korea and currently gained the cult status in among the Korean fans. Following with the ''Shaolin Drunken Monkey'', they've also worked together in ''
10 Shaolin Disciples'', ''
The Snake Strikes Back'', ''
Fist of the Golden Monkey'', ''
Dragon Against Vampire'' and their last on-screen collaboration ''
Ninja of the Magnificent'' which came out in 1987.
End of the career and death
After making several films in the 1980s, he eventually retired from acting in 1987. However, in 1992 he made the appearance once again in ''Walking Towards the Sky'' the Korean movie and in addition he also made the appearance in 1997 television series ''Love and War''. After ''Walking Towards the Sky'', Han became a monk in
Gyeongsang Province
Gyeongsang ( ko, 경상도, ''Gyeongsang-do''; ) was one of the eight provinces of Korea during the Joseon dynasty. Gyeongsang was located in the southeast of Korea.
The provincial capital was Daegu. The region was the birthplace of the Kingd ...
after his retirement from filming business. In 2002 he was diagnosed with stomach cancer and died August 12, 2003.
Filmography
*''Endless Fight'' (1977) - Fighter in Korea
*''Return of Red Tiger'' (1977) - Thug Leader
*''Young Ja's Heydays'' (1977)
*''Wonderman from Shaolin'' (1977) - Shaolin Monk
*''Duel with the Devils'' (1977)
*''Gate of Life or Death'' (1977)
*''Return of Fist of Fury'' (1977)
*''The Fist of Hercules'' (1978)
*''Manhunt'' (1978)
*''
The Fearless Hyena
''The Fearless Hyena'' is a 1979 Hong Kong action comedy kung fu film written, directed by and starring Jackie Chan. It was Chan's directorial debut. The film was a box office success.
The film has been released under several alternative titl ...
'' (1979) - Chin Wa Li
*''
Dragon Fist'' (1979) - Nan Qing
*''
Death Duel of Kung Fu
''Death Duel of Kung Fu'' is 1979 martial art movie, directed by William Cheung Ki and starring John Liu, Don Wong Tao and Eagle Han-ying. It is also known as Showdown of the Master Warriors and Return of the Secret Rivals as an alternate title ...
'' (1979) - To Ku Lan
*''Quick Step Mantis'' (1979)
*''Champ Against Champ'' (1980) - Kai's Fighter (credited as Charles Han)
*''Fire Lord'' (1980)
*''Ninja Holocaust'' (1980)
*''
Hitman in the Hand of Buddha
''Hitman in the Hand of Buddha'' (Korean title: 인무가인) is a 1981 Korean and Hong Kong action cinema, Hong Kong martial arts film directed and produced by Hwang Jang-lee in his directorial debut, who also starred in the lead role, and co-d ...
'' (1981) - Monk (cameo)
*''
The Shaolin Drunken Monk'' (1981) - Wong Kin Chung
*''
Shaolin Drunken Monkey'' (1981) - Silver Eagle
*''Duel of the Tough'' (1981)
*''10 Shaolin Disciples'' (1981) - Warlord's Son
*''The Snake Strikes Back'' (1982)
*''
Jackie and Bruce to the Rescue
''Jackie and Bruce to the Rescue'' also known as Fist of Death is 1982 Taiwanese Bruceploitation martial arts movie, starring Kim Tai Chung and Lee Siu Ming.
Plot
The YMCA and Ching Wu school is under attack from the secret gang, which ultimatel ...
'' (1982)
*''Revenge of Drunken Master'' (1982)
*''Incredible Shaolin Thunderkick'' (1982) - Iron Claw
*''Fist of the Golden Monkey'' (1983) - Leader of 8 Beasts
*''7-Star Grand Mantis'' (1983) - Bong Chu
*''Shaolin and Taichi'' (1983) - Warlord
*''Sandong Chinese Restaurant'' (1983) - Bong Ryung
*''South Shaolin VS North Shaolin'' (1984)
*''Ninja VS Shaolin guards'' (1984) - Hung Gin
*''Wild Panther'' (1984) - Big Boss
*''Dragon Against Vampire'' (1985)
*''Sword of Evil Power'' (1985)
*''Ninja of the Magnificent'' (1987)
*''The Meteor Prince from the Milky Way 3'' (1988)
*''
Marihuana
Cannabis, also known as marijuana among other names, is a psychoactive drug from the cannabis plant. Native to Central or South Asia, the cannabis plant has been used as a drug for both recreational and entheogenic purposes and in various tra ...
'' (1988)
*''Milk Chocolate 1950-1990'' (1990)
*''Woman in Philopon Addict'' (1990)
*''The Dark City'' (1990)
*''Distant Saigon'' (1990)
*''Midnight Escape'' (1992)
*''Back to Even'' (1992)
*''The Girl's Man'' (1993)
*''Christmas Present'' (1994)
*''The Marine Rebelion'' (1995)
Television series
*''Red Zone'' (적색지대)(1992~1993) - as Song Myung Kyu
*''Walking To Heaven''(걸어서 하늘까지)(1993) - as Jet
*''Love and War'' (1995)
*''New Generation - Adults Don't Know'' (1995~1998) - Teacher
*''Shooting'' (1996) - Coach
*''Happy Time, Masterpiece Theater'' (2014) (Movie review, archive footage documentary)
Documentary
*''Top Fighters'' (Documentary, footage from Shaolin Drunk Monk and Dragon Fist)
References
External links
*
HK Cinemagic entry
{{DEFAULTSORT:Han-ying, Eagle
South Korean male film actors
Hong Kong male film actors
1952 births
1997 deaths
20th-century South Korean male actors
20th-century Hong Kong male actors