The Disturbing True Story Behind 3 Ninjas
In 1992, 3 Ninjas looked like a simple kids’ martial arts movie about Rocky, Colt, and Tum-Tum taking down bad guys and driving their grandfather crazy. But buried behind that goofy family classic is one of the strangest stories in movie history. Shin Sang-ok — the filmmaker who later helped develop 3 Ninjas — had previously been kidnapped by North Korea, imprisoned, forced to make movies for Kim Jong Il, secretly recorded conversations with him, directed the bizarre monster movie Pulgasari, and eventually escaped by running to the U.S. Embassy in Vienna. In this episode of Dial-Up Days, we’re digging into the unbelievable journey that took one of South Korea’s most important filmmakers from a North Korean prison camp to Hollywood — and eventually to one of the most recognizable kids’ movies of the 1990s. We’ll also look at the strange production history of 3 Ninjas, the alternate international cut, the sequel that was filmed years before it was released, and how Shin Sang-ok’s incredible life somehow became connected to Rocky, Colt, and Tum-Tum.
@Azariah-1g
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
Made in 92 i feel old
@John-q6h7l
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
North Korea is just a American CIA proxy country. The American CIA kidnapped them to make propaganda.
@rikevans3348
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
Great video
@Himesua
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
I'm so glad I already know the story because listening to you butcher poor 신상옥씨's name and what's is even worse was his wife's name, 츼은희. The story truly is AMAZING, but listening to you tell it is like nails on a chalkboard. I appreciate the research you put into it. Much respect for that.
@MilkieBeargames
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
I always thought I thought it was the reimagining of The Little Dragons or Kung Fu Kids.
@georgeblangfordjr.1771
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
3 Ninjas High Noon at Mega Mountain features Pro Wrestling Superstar Hulk Hogan, Loni Anderson and Jim Varney. This movie was released during Hogan's second year of his Heel turn during the Monday Night Wars
@georgeblangfordjr.1771
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up is the one, where the Heroic Ninja Brothers save a Native American Tribe from a corrupt businessman
@steelcurtain187
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
I had this on vhs and watched it countless times. The ex lax soda bit always got me 😂 The backstory is quite interesting and unexpected. I liked the sequel too, but not as much. I never saw the third or the hulk hogan ones.
@fanofpink
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
3 ninjas hit different no not really.
@koryhawkins1499
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
I loved these movies
@KickYouInTheThroat
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
7:10 Imagine the nerve of being this guy and complaining that the film industry is stale. Bro nothing in the country is allowed to be about anything except how awesome you and your dad are. Yea. Maybe mix it up a bit.
@majinsole8554
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
WHAT?!?!
That’s wild and SHOULD be a movie- thank you!
~_~
@iancolman1411
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
I watched this after I rent it from my local grocery store. ( It was the 90s ) I liked it.
@terischannel
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
3 Ninjas is a masterpiece
@megamadd9220
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
The laxative scene still makes me laugh
@Jay7682
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
It's amazing to actually learn all of this. Makes you now really appreciate the fact we got itbin the first place. Because that story of the escape from North Korea is like an actual James Bond spy movie or novel.
@SmokeyChipOatley
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
13:33 I was so taken in by the backstory that I had completely forgotten about the whole 3 Ninjas of it all lol.
Ps: 🎵Rocky loves EM-I-LY… Rocky loves EM-I-LY
@GeffNy
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
I always down to learn something 👍🏽
@StoneColt45
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
I'm a Colt guy. You can guess why.
@gotwafflesbish6909
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
My favorite line from the first movie is when he's choking and he goes " Dudes…dudes bail me out " 😅 I don't know why but I found it funny
@jeremyz8029
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
Tum Tum all the way when I was young!
@maryhughes6372
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
One of my favorite movies as a kid. My siblings and I would watch it over and over again.
@IlamaThrust
August 28, 2026 at 3:52 am
when i was a kid, i like Kick Back better because the fighting is much cooler.
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