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The Best Selling Films of 2007 (admissions to October 14) Korean Films Nationwide Seoul Release Weeks 1 D-War 8,420,000 n/a Aug 1 8 2 May 18 7,280,00 n/a Jul 25 8 3 Voice of a Murderer 3,245,865 826,287 Feb 1 4 4 Miracle on 1st Street 2,750,457 697,439 Feb 14 5 5 Paradise Murdered 2,231,417 648,124 Apr 12 6 6 Love 1,966,422 n/a Sep 19 4* 7 A Day for an Affair 1,847,875 568,786 Feb 8 4 8 Secret Sunshine 1,675,267 546,947 May 23 7 9 Highway Star 1,611,192 369,580 Feb 14 4 10 Mapado 2 1,560,297 323,905 Jan 18 2
Based on the Korean legend, unknown creatures will return and devastate the planet. Reporter Ethan Kendrick is called in to investigate the matter, and he arrives at the conclusion that a girl stricken with a mysterious illness named Sarah is suppose to help him. The Imoogi makes its way to Los Angeles, wreaking havoc and destruction. With the entire city under arms, will Ethan and Sarah make it in time to save the people of Los Angeles?``D-War'' is hailed as a great Korean cinematic triumph -- for its groundbreaking computer graphics created by domestic talent, and for the largest ever release abroad. But the dragon war movie had also been subject to ridicule as being the reckless ambition of one funny man. Known here for his signature character, the chubby and goofy Young-gu, comedian-turned director Shim returns once again as the head of Younggu-Art. His comic image made it difficult to be taken seriously by the public, like his first film venture, ``2001 Yonggary'' (1999, called ``Reptilian'' in the U.S.).
In the film, as investigative reporter Ethan Kendrick traces a series of bizarre disasters in Los Angeles, he becomes increasingly convinced that the happenings are related to an ancient Korean legend he heard as a child. The legend prophesized that ``Imgoogi,'' mythical creatures, will awaken in order to search for the ``yeoiju,'' a magical pearl that grants one of them the power to become a heavenly dragon. The good and evil Imoogi battle to seize this opportunity that comes around only once every 500 years.
Clues lead Kendrick to a young woman named Sarah, who possesses the yeoiju in her body. The yeoiju must be safeguarded in order to prevent the dark Imoogi from seizing it and destroying the world. Meanwhile, the two are fatally attracted to each other -- a continuation of their tragic love in a past life 500 years ago when they chose death over sacrificing the young woman to the good Imoogi. Kendrick and Sarah must decide their own fate -- whether or not to defy the will of heaven once again and let the city be destroyed.
``D-War'' is a real treat for fantasy buffs as loads of dragon attacks fill screens from start to finish. But the awkward, anachronistic blend of East and West in character designs diminishes the spectacle of the big action -- Darth Vader-like leader hissing in an alien tongue leads armed dinosaur-like creatures and a group of soldiers that look like European medieval knights. Though the director explained that the concept of dragons is universal, and intentionally chose the European armor to symbolize how Korea had been prone to foreign invasions in the past, and two, appeal to Western audiences, you still can't help but ask, isn't this supposed to be based on an ancient Korea legend?
``All's well that end's well,'' however, with an impressive finale featuring a high-soaring reptilian battle, with one of the super-sized snakes metamorphosing into a full-fledged dragon. We've seen many fierce fire-breathing creatures on-screen -- even a mascara-adorned pink one in ``Shrek'' -- but ``D-War'' provides something new, for both domestic and international audiences, a thoroughly Korean monster that can be seen in traditional paintings, complete with a magical pearl clenched between its jaws.
The film comes to a climactic close with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra's grand rendition of ``Arirang,'' a soulful Korean song that appropriately expresses the fate of the star-crossed lovers. Shim deserves a big bravo for his persistence in inserting the score despite the opposition from even his own staff. The audio is in fact one of the film's greatest strengths: Steve Jablonsky, music director of ``Transformers'' (2007) and ``Armageddon'' (1998), created original scores, and Mark A. Mangini, the audio expert of ``The Lion King'' (1994) and ``Die Hard 3'' (1995) whipped up amazing sound effects
Special Features:
1) Legend of Korea:
- Making of Film
- Korea Shooting Scenes
- Los Angeles Shooting Scenes
- Young Gu Art Studio Shooting Scenes
2) Art:
- Set Design
- Costumes
- Creature Making
- Miniature Shooting Scenes
3) Dragon : I Moo Gi:
- Arirang
- Sound Track
- Sound Effects
- ADR
- Korean Dubbing Scenes
4) Promotional Materials:
- Premiere Scenes
- Interview with US distributor
- Trailer
- Photo Gallery
- Poster Shooting Scenes
