
Directing
Shin Sang-ok
Born 1926-10-18 · Chongjin, Korea
Shin Sang-ok (born Shin Tae-seo; October 11, 1926 – April 11, 2006) was a South Korean filmmaker with more than 100 producer and 70 director credits to his name. His best-known films were made in the 1950s and 60s, many of them collaborations with his wife Choi Eun-hee, when he was known as "The Prince of South Korean Cinema". In 1978, Shin and Choi were kidnapped by North Korean leader Kim Jong-il for the purpose of producing critically acclaimed films. The two remained in captivity for 8 years until 1986, when they escaped and sought asylum in the United States. Shin continued to produce and direct films in America, now under the pseudonym "Simon Sheen", before eventually returning to South Korea for his final years. He received posthumously the Gold Crown Cultural Medal, the country's top honor for an artist.
Acting credits
6.9Hong Kong, 1978. South Korean actress Choi Eun-hee is kidnapped by North Korean operatives following orders from dictator Kim Jong-il.
The Lovers and the Despot
2016
10.0The love of Kim Jong Il, the former dictator of North Korea, for cinema and his adventures, including the kidnapping of a director.
Cinema in the Land of Comrade Kim
2024
NRHwang Yong lost his father by Japanese army when he was a little boy. He is making a living by killing people as a hired killer when he is asked to find out a buddhist statue from Independence Army. He goes to a pub to kill Wang Pung, the statue is not there, though. Inevitably Hwang Yong has to live in that pub where he falls in love with a barmaid Wi-Rang. But Kaneda and his gang kill Wi-Rang when Hwang Yong is out of the pub. Hwang Yong happened to know that Kaneda is the very Japanese who killed his father when he goes to Kaneda's haunt to defeat them in anger. He takes a vengeance on him and gives Independence fund disguised as a buddhist statue back to the Independence Army. He quietly dies after disclosing he is Korean, too.
The Great Duel
1973
Behind the camera
5.6During a championship baseball match, the three brothers hear that their grandfather in Japan is in trouble, and head out to help him, conceding the match. When they arrive in Japan, they must use all their powers to defend him against his ancient enemy, who has returned to exact revenge.
3 Ninjas Kick Back
1994
10.0Former Minister of National Security, Park Jin-wook, is kidnapped from the US by South Korean agents because he was about to reveal secrets concerning the rise of the military dictatorship of the 1980's.
Vanished
1994
10.0Former Minister of National Security, Park Jin-wook, is kidnapped from the US by South Korean agents because he was about to reveal secrets concerning the rise of the military dictatorship of the 1980's.
Vanished
1994
5.2Rocky, Colt and TumTum must battle an evil wealthy toxic waste dumper in order to save a local Indian tribe and their friend Joe. The 3 Ninjas must help find Joe's father and find a secret disk that contains evidence that could stop the toxic landfill that is destroying the Indian community. However the town is owned by the rich man and he controls the police and even the mayor. They must fight a motorcycle gang and renegade cowboys in this non-stop ninja adventure.
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
1995
7.0In order to exact revenge upon him, a young woman (Lin Dai) marries the Emperor Chou (Shin Young-kyun), who killed her father.
The Last Woman of Shang
1964
6.7A young boxer joins a martial arts school to increase his skill so he can enter a martial arts competition. He leaves the school when he hears that a local gangster is terrorizing the town. He comes to the aid of a young singer and brings on the wrath of the local gang. He eventually enters the martial arts competition after learning iron palm technique and takes out all competition.
Five Fingers of Death
1972
6.2In post-Korean War Seoul, a young man from the countryside discovers that his older brother has become romantically involved in a prostitute and has no intentions of returning home.
The Flower in Hell
1958
6.2In post-Korean War Seoul, a young man from the countryside discovers that his older brother has become romantically involved in a prostitute and has no intentions of returning home.
The Flower in Hell
1958
4.1Kang-hie recalls from her cell how she was used by Japanese detectives to track down and destroy the Korean Independence fighters. She manages to escape from prison during a break and proceeds to hunt down her former lover who was a Japanese agent.
Woman Prisoner No. 407
1976
5.5In feudal Korea, a group of starving villagers grow weary of the orders handed down to them by their controlling king and set out to use a deadly monster under their control to push his armies back.
Pulgasari
1986
5.5In feudal Korea, a group of starving villagers grow weary of the orders handed down to them by their controlling king and set out to use a deadly monster under their control to push his armies back.
Pulgasari
1986
4.0Japan conquers China just before WW2 starts. Chinese women are captured and placed in concentration camps, where they are tortured and humiliated. Some try to escape incurring enormous risks, and death if they fail.
Woman Prisoner No. 407 II
1976
6.7In the latter years of the Korean Empire, Lee In Hwa, disguises herself as a man so she can join a group of young men determined to overthrow the colonial government. They fight together with young national activists presided by Hwal Min and supported by Daewon-gun, the Prince Regent, against Min Gyeom Ho and his peers. But Min and his team perform a surprise attack on Hwal Min and his peers.
The Youth
1955
6.7In the latter years of the Korean Empire, Lee In Hwa, disguises herself as a man so she can join a group of young men determined to overthrow the colonial government. They fight together with young national activists presided by Hwal Min and supported by Daewon-gun, the Prince Regent, against Min Gyeom Ho and his peers. But Min and his team perform a surprise attack on Hwal Min and his peers.
The Youth
1955
7.5South Korean Air Force pilots engage in perilous missions against Communist North Koreans during the Korean War.
Red Scarf
1964
7.0Iljimae's parents were killed due to a conspiracy when he was young. Many years later he became a chivalrous robber, robbing corrupt officials and helping the poor. He eventually manages in taking revenge for his parents' deaths. But the police start to chase him, and he hides himself at a gisaeng's house. The gisaeng was his ex-fiancee. She also lost her parents to a conspiracy. She begs Iljimae to stay with her, but he leaves to do what he has to.
Iljimae the Chivalrous Robber
1961
5.9A woman reaches out from the beyond to marry the man she loves. It isn't until later that he begins to suspect that his new wife is actually dead.
The Ghost Lovers
1973
6.0Song Ryul returns to the countryside to see his ill father. After his cousin conspires with the Japanese occupiers to sell their crop, Song Ryul is forced to emigrate to Kando (Jiandao) in Manchuria. His family faces numerous adversities there and after a row with a local pharmacist, he is imprisoned. The prison is raided by Kim Il-sung and his guerrillas, who free the inmates, who take revenge on the Japanese by blowing up a railway.
Runaway
1984
10.0A doctor is shocked to learn that his girlfriend had formerly been the mistress of a married man.
Desire
1968
7.0A young man who was fired from his job for being unmanly decides to dress as a woman and work as a gisaeng. He gets proposals from several of his male clients including his former boss, Heo. He earns enough money to clear his gisaeng life and opens his own business with his friend Jeong-hui. Meanwhile his sister tells him that she is getting married. Later he finds out that her future brother in-law is the son of Heo. He doesn't know how to react. But Heo takes the man back to his company.
A Man And a Gisaeng
1969
7.0A young man who was fired from his job for being unmanly decides to dress as a woman and work as a gisaeng. He gets proposals from several of his male clients including his former boss, Heo. He earns enough money to clear his gisaeng life and opens his own business with his friend Jeong-hui. Meanwhile his sister tells him that she is getting married. Later he finds out that her future brother in-law is the son of Heo. He doesn't know how to react. But Heo takes the man back to his company.
A Man And a Gisaeng
1969
9.0Four short stories examing the lives of women in the last 18th and 19th century Story 1: 'Wives Should Be Submissive'--A father tries to marry his daughter into a wealthy family. Story 2: 'A Daughter-In-Law Is No Better Than A Stranger'--A woman thinks that her daughter-in-law has turned her son against her so she tries to kill the younger woman. Story 3: '7 Grounds For Divorce'--A wife begins an affair with her servant because of her husband's impotency Story 4: 'Prohibit Sex In Court'--A concubine's life is at risk when it is revealed that her infant child is not the king's.
Women of Yi-Dynasty
1969
9.0Four short stories examing the lives of women in the last 18th and 19th century Story 1: 'Wives Should Be Submissive'--A father tries to marry his daughter into a wealthy family. Story 2: 'A Daughter-In-Law Is No Better Than A Stranger'--A woman thinks that her daughter-in-law has turned her son against her so she tries to kill the younger woman. Story 3: '7 Grounds For Divorce'--A wife begins an affair with her servant because of her husband's impotency Story 4: 'Prohibit Sex In Court'--A concubine's life is at risk when it is revealed that her infant child is not the king's.
Women of Yi-Dynasty
1969
6.9Six-year-old Ok Hee is glad when Mr. Han comes to board at her house full of women. She plays messenger for Mr. Han and her widowed mother as they quietly fall in love, but is her support enough to guard their love?
Mother and a Guest
1961