Shin Sang-ok | |
|---|---|
신상옥 | |
 Shin in February 1978 | |
| Born | Shin Tae-seo October 11, 1926 |
| Died | April 11, 2006 (aged 79) |
| Other names | Simon Sheen |
| Occupation(s) | Film director, producer |
| Years active | 1952–2002 |
| Spouse | Choi Eun-hee (divorced 1976, remarried 1983) |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 신상옥 |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Shin Sangok |
| McCune–Reischauer | Shin Sangok |
Shin Sang-ok (Korean: 신상옥; 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. He is best known in South Korea for his efforts during 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". He received posthumously the Gold Crown Cultural Medal, the country's top honor for an artist.
In 1978, Shin and Choi were kidnapped by North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to produce 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.