J.J. Hayden, a renowned South Korean martial arts master, is best recognized for his role as Sonny Wong in The Scorpion King, also known as Operation Scorpio, as well as his action direction of the My Wife Is A Gangster movie series.
Hayden's unique style, which emerged during his early years, was remarkably ahead of its time, showcasing a variety of techniques that are still utilized in modern Tricking. His influence can be seen in the work of prominent martial arts actors such as Scott Adkins and Tony Jaa.
Hayden began learning Taekwondo at the tender age of seven and went on to develop his own distinctive style of kicking and acrobatics. His admiration for the legendary Bruce Lee led him to fall in love with the nunchaku, which he would later incorporate into his training regimen.
Throughout his early years, Hayden continued to expand his martial arts repertoire by learning Hapkido, Wushu, and various other styles. In the late 1970s, he trained alongside Elton Jeong at the YMCA Mechanical Gymnastics Club, where he honed his skills and eventually became a member of the Korean martial arts / stunt group Ottogi Martial Arts Team.
Hayden's professional career in the film industry began in 1979, when he worked on his first movie. He went on to appear as a supporting character in several Korean martial arts films before landing his first starring role in 1988.
In the early 1990s, Hayden sent out a demo tape that caught the attention of renowned filmmaker David Lai, who subsequently cast him in a few Hong Kong movies. One of his most notable roles during this period was in The Scorpion King, which cemented his status as a cult favorite.
After working on several films, Hayden returned to Korea, where he established himself as one of the nation's top action directors. He continues to practice and promote martial arts, having received numerous awards and commendations for his contributions to the field.
