Shin Sangok born Shin Taeseo October 11 1926 April 11 2006 was a South Korean filmmaker with more than 100 producer and 70 director credits to his name His bestknown films were made in the 1950s and 60s many of them collaborations with his wife Choi Eunhee when he was known as The Prince of South Korean Cinema In 1978 Shin and Choi were kidnapped by North Korean leader Kim Jongil 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 countrys top honor for an artist