Dragon Wars – A real Korean Sci-Fi in English
Hyung-rae Shim used to be known as a top-class comedian in Korea. In the late 1980’s, he played a character called “Younggu”, meaning “fool” in Korean. It is still one of the biggest comedy hit shows in Korea today. Although he is a super famous comedian, he didn’t stop there. He moved to another field; film. Hyung-rae Shim used to be known as a top-class comedian in Korea. In the late 1980’s, he played a character called “Younggu”, meaning “fool” in Korean. It is still one of the biggest comedy hit shows in Korea today. Although he is a super famous comedian, he didn’t stop there. He moved to another field; film. Director Shim has made Sci-Fi movies using numerous computer graphics and dramatic CG techniques. His latest movie, “Dragon Wars” (D-War), with large scale computer graphics was released in the U.S. on September 14th.
The movie’s budget was the biggest in Korean film history. Its profits ranked the 5th highest in Korean movie history. However, most critics in Korea criticized it very harshly due to its poor story line. Recently, it has been a huge debate in Korea (particularly on the Internet) between critics and fans of the movie. It didn’t get favorable comments in the U.S. either.
Just a day after the movie release, a major controversy exploded across the internet. A boy named Justin uploaded a video of his review of the movie on Youtube. He repeated the word “Horrible” many times in his six minute video.
Watch the video which started it all:
In no time the video was viewed over 100,000 times and the video became very famous on many Korean websites (the boy became known as “Horrible Boy” to Koreans). He responded by uploading two other videos titled “Response to the World” Part 1 and Part 2, explaining why he criticized it so badly. Either way you look at it there are still many enthusiastic fans both here and in Korea who love the movie very much.
Director Shim is very ambitious, confident and loves a challenge. He made the movie in English hoping to hit the international market with his perfected CG technique. In 1999, he showed his challenger spirit with a catch phrase in a public service announcement in Korea (1999); “People never try it because they believe it is impossible; but it only becomes impossible when they never try it.”
It’s very exciting for me as a girl from Korea to be here in the United States. I wanted to incorporate some facts, information and perceptions of Mr. Shin and Korean Film that American audiences aren’t aware of. Mr. Shim is as famous in Korea as Steven Spielberg is in America. Asiance interviewed director Shim and met him at the Press conference for his movie “Dragon Wars”.
ASIANCE: As a top comedian in Korea, why did you decide to make films?
Director Shim: Film is a media that has infinite possibility and great influence. Also it is easy to transform to other fields, so I thought the possibility of the movie industry is very high. There’s no special chance. I just desired it for a long time.
See the Computer Graphic techniques
ASIANCE: In Korea, the movie “D-War” is now getting great box-office records and big interest from people. What would you say to the fans?
Shim: I can only thank them. I was very impressed that a three generations family, including a 60-year-old grandmother, was watching my movie. I feel like I got a present more than just a box-office record. When I saw that many families enjoyed the movie together, I thought that my effort for the last six years was not in vain.
I think it is a right choice to show Korean culture to the world. Japanese or Chinese culture is already well-known in the world, but Korean is not. So I’d like to introduce it more to the world.
ASIANCE: What is the type of audience in the U.S.? Is it similar to the Korean audience?
Shim: Yes, families are the major audience. Old people like my movie as well. Also, I think women like the movie more.
ASIANCE: The computer graphical technique of Younggu Art (Shim’s film company) is received very favorably. Is there a particular reason that you placed such an emphasis on it?
Shim: I’ve made Sci-Fi movies because when we had made movies with just straight filming, we had lots of problems. Especially, when one of my movies “Young-Gu and Zuzu, the Dinosaur” was released, “Jurassic Park” was also released in Korea. That was the time I realized the importance of CG technique.
ASIANCE: You have made many monster films such as “Tirano’s Claws” and “Yonggary”. Was there any special moment that made you interested in monster films?
Shim: I’ve not only made monster films. I concentrated my effort on movies for children in early times, and later I focused on movies for families. Also, I have longed for showing my movies to the world. It would be better if my works were regarded as generalized to our imaginations to the global market, not just monster films.
ASIANCE: In the movie “D-War”, a Korean legend of “Imugi” is used in a very important way. Was there a special reason you choose that legend?
Shim: There’s no reason not to use it. The Dragon is a very famous creature both in the East and the West, though the meanings are quite different. However, there’s a unique creature in Korean legend, “Imugi”, which is a former stage of a dragon. Therefore, a material that everyone knows can be reproduced as a brand-new story through a Korean legend. I think it is a right choice to show Korean culture to the world. Japanese or Chinese culture is already well-known in the world, but Korean is not. So I’d like to introduce it more to the world.
ASIANCE: In the last part of the movie, a Korean folk song “Arirang” was used, and many Korean people said that they were very impressed. What do you expect this part to do in the international market and to international audiences?
Shim: The song was arranged for the movie. I believe “Arirang” is a great music itself, and the feeling of the song accords with that of the movie. (So I hope the audiences can get the feeling what the movie tried to express especially by the song)
ASIANCE: Do you plan to make a movie in Korean with Korean actors?
Shim: I’m preparing a 3D animation, “Bung Eo Bbang (bean-jam bun shapes in a cross) of Memory”, which is about the Korean War. It will be made in Korean, of course, but it will be dubbed in English for release in other countries.
ASIANCE: What would you say if your daughter wants to work in the film industry?
Shim: That would be ok, but I don’t think she would – “ she’s quite shy. She is studying design in Korea now.
ASIANCE: Is there any special part in the movie that you expect the American audience to pay attention to or feel something special?
Shim: There are some parts that audiences can laugh at. Also, I hope people would remember this is a Korean legend.
ASIANCE: What do you think is the strongest point of the movie that will be the best in the U.S film market?
Shim: The background of the movie is LA, and it is totally destroyed by splendid CG. I believe it is an enough reason to watch the movie!
ASIANCE: Which American director or actor do you hope to work with in the U.S.? Do you plan to work in Hollywood?
Shim: I like George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. Well, of course I’m thinking about making films in Hollywood, but my staff (of “Dragon Wars”) is already from Hollywood!
ASIANCE: Recently, the contract with Sony pictures for the DVD of “D-War” was made. It is very significant that the company sold not only the copyright of “D-War” but also the direct income, unlike other Korean movies that have been sold in the U.S. It must be hard work, so I’d like you to tell us your thoughts about it and expectations for the future as well.
Also, are you willing to find another international market besides the U.S?
Shim: I realized how difficult it is to start something new. We’ve gone through numerous trial and errors, and there were many parts we missed. However, we can’t just wait and see the high wall – we should jump high and put ladders to go over the wall. I believe somebody must try it. It would be easier from now on (because we already tried it and found a way).
The release in Japan at the end of this year is also being prepared.
ASIANCE: Please tell us about your next work being made.
Shim: It’s a comedy titled, “Last Godfather” in which I will play a role. Comedy movie is also popular (so I hope my next movie will be successful as well). Moreover, a very surprise casting is hidden in the movie. I expect the world will be amazed by the CG technique of Young-gu Art.
Youl Mae is from Korea and studying the English language in New York City. She loves working for Asiance Magazine.
I saw the movie and I must say it was worth all the money invested into producing it. All that graphic must have taken a lot to be done and the team must have a lot of experts. Good job!
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