Robert Forster (로버트 포스터)

Director Shim Considers Shooting Dragon Wars 2

2007/09/24 | Source | Permalink |

One week after setting foot in the United States, Dragon Wars ("D-War) currently occupies the 12th slot at the box office, having grossed over 8 million. Considering the number of screens – more than 2000 - this is not exactly a stellar performance. But director Shim Hyung-rae seems to be satisfied with the result. During an interview at the Korean Embassy office in New York, Shim revealed his plans to make a sequel to Dragon Wars.

"Some major companies have seen how Dragon Wars has performed at box office and approached me about making a sequel", Shim said. "I am considering making Dragon Wars 2 and competing with real Hollywood blockbusters in 2009 summer, fair and square".

Dragon Wars is a story of a couple's fight against the Imoogi, Korean mythological creatures. Young Ethan Kendrick (Cody Arens) meets Jack, an antique dealer (Robert Forster) who claims that Ethan is the reincarnation of ancient warrior apprentice Haram who saved his lover Narin from Buraki, an evil Imoogi. ...| More

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Korean Movie "Dragon Wars" to Make Its Debut in the U.S.

2007/09/10 | Source | Permalink |

This September, a reincarnated ancient Korean warrior and his lover will be fighting an Imoogi (a mythical, dragon-like creature) and its evil army of monsters in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles' Egyptian Theater is going to hold a premier screening of the Korean blockbuster film "Dragon Wars" on September 13th. On the 14th, the movie will be showing nationwide on more than 2000 screens, distributed by Freestyle Releasing.

"Dragon Wars", which was written, produced, and directed by Korean comedian and director Shim Hyung-Rae, has been the biggest summer hit in Korea. Released on August 1st, "Dragon Wars" has grossed over $ 60 million and attracted over 8 million viewers as of September 1. This makes it the fifth biggest hit in Korean film history. The film is also getting noticed for stirring endless debate on various topics, including the quality of film itself, the Korean film making process, and Korean nationalism.

After the box-office failure "Yonggary", Shim dedicated five years...| More

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[Review] D-War is a dog with no bark and no bite

2007/08/03 | Source | Permalink |

Snarling against the Los Angeles cityscape, the evil imugi looks sloppily Photoshopped into the frame, as comparatively tiny Ethan (Jason Behr) and Sarah (Amanda Brooks) cower in fear. Provided by Younggu Art
At this point, anyone not living under a rock in Korea must know "D-War" is coming out soon. Ads plaster the sides of buses, monitors in subway stations perpetually play trailers for the movie and even the ticket collectors at movie theaters wear D-War T-shirts. Apparently most of the film's costly budget ― tens of billions of won ― went into its promotion.
Director Shim Hyung-rae should have known better. While promoting "2001 Yonggary", his previous sci-fi flick about a giant destructive reptile, Shim went overboard, proclaiming it would be the first Korean film to meet widespread commercial success in the United States. But Yonggary bombed, big time, and D-War appears to be little more than Yonggary version 2.0.
For one, this new release seems to be suspiciously ...| More

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[MOVIE REVIEW] 'D-War' upgrades computer graphics

2007/07/25 | Source | Permalink |

In making a film heavily dependent on computer graphics, it is tricky to strike a balance between storytelling and special effects. Director Shim Hyung-rae has staked almost everything on the latter -- for better or worse.

"D-War", directed and written by Shim, a former comic actor, showcases the full potential of home-grown CG technology, offering a stream of Hollywood-style chase-and-destroy scenes.

All the visual effects have been crafted by Shim's own studio, Younggu Art, and the outcome -- computer-generated monsters, cars flying over, buildings destroyed -- is impressive, though not spectacular enough to elicit real shock and awe from today's audiences, many of whom are already familiar with similarly effects-heavy movies.

Director Shim seems to believe that the film's primary merit lies in the quality of CG (computer graphics), justifying his tireless efforts in the past six years to produce the country's most expensive film, which cost about 30 billion won ($33 million...| More

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