Shin Sang-ok, Pioneer of Korean Cinema, Passes Away

For those of us old enough to remember, there was once a movie called, Three Ninjas Kick Back. Though this movie was not remembered for its story or cinematography, its executive producer was no other than Shin Sang Ok, one of the pioneering figures of South Korean and even North Korean cinema. Though, I'm sure he does not want to be remembered for B-Rated Hollywood films, I'm pretty sure he will be remembered as the legendry film icon in both Koreas.

Last week, Prof Kim touched on him shortly when discussing North Korean films. During the 70s and 80s, there was great development in the films of South Korea. For those who do not know, Kim Jong Il is a HUGE movie fan. Before he was the Dear Leader, he had directed many plays and written some screenplays. Fully aware that North Korean films were not on par with the South, Kim kidnapped, Sang Ok and his actress wife, Choi Un-Hee, from Seoul. There, he made films for Kim Jong Il including the cult film, Pulgasari, a North Korean remake of Godzilla.

In 1986, the two made a daring escape that drew the attention of the international media, and later traveled to the U.S. where they worked as producers in Washington and Los Angeles. Sang Ok will definetly be remembered.

- Alex Liu