Top 10 Korean Movies with Dragon Lee

Because this blog is devoted to Korean movies, I focused this "best of" list on Dragon Lee flicks which were shot — at least partly — in his native tongue. Along the way, I also learned that many of this North Korean heartthrob's films were originally directed by Kim Si-Hyeon only to be re-edited (a.k.a. butchered) then recredited to Godfrey Ho. No respect! I'm not confident this list is infallibly ordered but I do hope it conveys my newfound respect for this underrated performer.

1. Enter the Invincible Hero: An action movie is only as good as its villains and this one has three and what a wild trio they are.

2. The Dragon's Infernal Showdown: You know you're in for a treat when the bad guy quips, "Our only purpose in life is to make as much money as possible."

3. Kung Fu Fever: Nearly every scene, Dragon's sporting a new outfit...except at the end when he brings back the yellow onesie which truly deserved an encore.

4. Martial Arts of Shaolin Temple: The story of loyalty is timeless but there's something so quintessential '80s here: the pleated-pants, black vest, white-T-shirt and gorgeous hair.

5. The Dragon's Snake Fist: North Korea's pulpy male pin-up headlines as a star pupil who eventually must take on a rival school's entire graduating class. Guess who wins?

6. Dragon Lee Vs. The Five Brothers: The real stars here are the mysterious woman in a veiled hat (Qiu Yuen) and the malicious man with the iron hand (Choi Min-kyu).

7. Secret Ninja Roaring Tiger: A variation of The Three Musketeers including a woman and some weird soft core sections.

8. Champ Against Champ: All-but-killed by a poisoned dart, our young hero must have his leg amputated then learns to fight with a steel prosthetic. Oh, the sound effects in this one!

9. The Deadly Silver Ninja: This script, involving fighters dressed like Mexican wrestlers, feels like it was written after the film was shot and based on spur-of-the-moment ideas guided by mouth movements.

10. Mission for the Dragon: If you want to see Dragon fight in the water, this may be your flick.

Also worth watching: Bruce Lee's Ways of Kung Fu, The Clones of Bruce Lee, and Jaws of the Dragon.