Jason Behr - D-War #6: It's a huge success in Korea! Jason, KaDee & Cast Attend Premiere! - Page 2

**Hell on Heels** · 08-12-2007, 09:41 AM

Awesome!

**Crystaline** · 08-12-2007, 01:36 PM

It continues to be a success in Korea. That's really encouraging.

**Roswell 10/2/00** · 08-12-2007, 06:47 PM

I know I am so happy! I can't wait to see this movie!

LongTimeFan · 08-12-2007, 08:41 PM

ARTICLE

Quote:

Korean Computer Animators Rising to Challenge Hollywood
The recent turnaround in Korea's movie industry is helping local producers of computer graphics (CG) to challenge the world. "D-War," a sci-fi monster flick produced completely with Korean CG technology, is expected to record five million viewers in just 10 days of release. In addition, Korean software garnered rave reviews at the world's top CG show this week. In other words, a Korean CG company has formally thrown down the gauntlet to Hollywood.
"The Host" was last year's biggest blockbuster, drawing over 13 million movie fans. Its computer graphics, considered to have played a major role in the success of the film, were all done in the U.S. The visual effects in "D-War," on the other hand, were made totally by domestic CG company Younggu Art.

All the computer graphics in 'D-War' were created in Korea. A scene in which the serpent flails
about downtown L.A. has been particularly well received, with some saying it's on par with Hollywood films.

The highlight of "D-War" is when an extremely real-looking imoogi, or Korean serpent, terrorizes downtown L.A. and snakes up a skyscraper. The dynamic scene was made possible by linking an imoogi made by 3-D CG technology with actual shots of the city.

Younggu Art was designated an Advanced Technology Center by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy in 2004 for its expertise in 3-D visual effects. The company is closely guarding the details of its work, being very cautions about its know-how amid growing attention following the release of "D-War."

It's been less than two years since computer graphics were fully adopted by domestic films. In that relatively short period, the quality of Korea's work has almost reached that of "The Lord of the Rings" or "Spider-man." A case in point is "Digital Actor" made by the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute at a cost of W30 billion (US$1=W931). The actor, much like Golum from "The Lord of the Rings," was made entirely by computer graphics.

The public first got a look at the technology behind "Digital Actor" last year in such films as "For Horowitz" and "Hanbando." In "The Restless" the technology was used to create a digital facsimile of Jung Woo-sung, the film’s main actor, falling from 10 m above the ground.

Korean CG garnered glowing praise at the world's
biggest CG exhibit, SIGGRAPH. In 2002, reviewers said a team
from Seoul National University had produced work better than
that of Hollywood animators.

Last April ETRI's "Digital Actor" development team opened research center Macrograph. "In terms of technology alone, domestic CG is only about 10 percent behind that of Hollywood," said Lee In-ho, a representative of the research center. Macrograph recently signed a deal to work on "The Forbidden Kingdom," the latest project by Rob Minkoff, the director of "The Lion King" and "Stewart Little."

Computer graphics usually account for about 10 percent of a movie's total production costs. However, CG adds tremendous potential value as computer-created characters can be turned into games and toys when a movie becomes a blockbuster.

The international computer animation market is estimated to be worth around US$55 billion. Korea's current market share, however, is a meager 3 percent. A bigger problem is the fact that most of the CG software being used in Korea comes from overseas, making Korea just another profit source for foreign companies. If Korea is to fully compete with the U.S., it must come up with its own software that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with American programs that aren't even being sold commercially.

There is some hope in this regard, with a Korean CG software product earning glowing reviews at a recent international show. In the movie "The Restless," a digital actor wears clothes made of many layers of thin cotton. Not too long ago, Korea CG software wouldn't have been able to create the look of layers of cloth blowing in the wind. However, the film's CG team developed a program called Qualoth specifically to animate clothing.

The software was developed by Seoul National University's Professor Goh Hyung-suk and his team, and a fashion show using models wearing layers of thin silk, the effect created by Qualoth, was played at SIGGRAPH in 2002, the world's leading CG exhibition. Reviewers were so impressed they said the effect was far better than those seen in "Monsters Inc." and "Shrek."

Korean software was acclaimed at SIGGRAPH 2007, the world's top CG show. ETRI
managed to depict beer froth, the most difficult liquid to recreate. The image was featured on
the front page of the exhibit's journal.

Another Korean program has been designed to depict flowing water. At SIGGRAPH 2007 in San Diego, an animation of a glass of beer made with the software was a big hit. ETRI's Gu Bon-gi and his team perfectly recreated the look of the beer's bubbling froth.

"Waves crashing on the shore in movies like 'Superman' were made with CG software," said Dr. Gu. "We decided to challenge froth, which is considered the most difficult of all fluids to express with CG, in order show that our technology is better than American technology." The froth software has already been sold to a local film studio.

(englishnews@chosun.com )

LongTimeFan · 08-12-2007, 08:49 PM

Article

Quote:

'D-War' Stirs Up Sensation

With his new monster flick “D-war”, director Shim Hyung-rae has created a box-office sensation. The movie has attracted 2.2 million viewers in the first four days since its release, distributor Showbox said Sunday. If audience rates for Saturday held and another 790,000 moviegoers saw it on Sunday, the movie will have draws 3 million viewers in five days, beating the all-time record set by Bong Joon-ho’s “The Host”, which managed 2.63 million viewers in five days.

"D-War" director Shim Hyung-rae

But with success has come controversy over quality and marketing strategy. Leesong Hee-il, the director of “No Regret”, has issued a challenge on his website titled “To blind fans of director Shim Hyung-rae.” His comments are cutting. “D-war is not a movie,” he writes. “It’s like a successful imitation of U.S. toasters assembled in Cheonggyecheon in the 1970s.”
He also criticized the “D-war” marketing strategy, which is heavy on appeals to viewers’ patriotism. Leesong says Shim is milking emotions for all they’re worth by putting the famous traditional Korean song “Arirang” at the end of the movie and talking about his passion and past hardships on every TV show.

The “blind” fans were quick to reply, bombarding the blog with such a stream of counterattacks, some full of verbal abuse, that it has now been closed. An article on the story on an Internet portal site had no fewer than 13,600 replies as of 4 p.m. on Sunday. Inevitably, advance ticket sales for “D-war” surged by 10 percent, online ticket agency Maxmovie said.

However, there were almost as many posts on the web deriding Shim and his movie, which are inevitably followed by a stream of counterattacks. Underneath the quarrel, complicated factors seem at work: distrust of Chungmuro, Korea’s Hollywood, after movie industry demonstration against a reduction in the screen quota reserved for homemade films, and sympathy with Shim for his arduous efforts and passion for his movie.

(englishnews@chosun.com )

**Crystaline** · 08-13-2007, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Leesong Hee-il, the director of “No Regret”, has issued a challenge on his website titled “To blind fans of director Shim Hyung-rae.” His comments are cutting. “D-war is not a movie,” he writes. “It’s like a successful imitation of U.S. toasters assembled in Cheonggyecheon in the 1970s.”

Bitter much? Wow. What a jerk.

LongTimeFan · 08-13-2007, 08:17 AM

It's just too bad we didn't have Shim marketing Skinwalkers.

Sounds like he knows how to attract an audience.

**Dreamer 4 Ever** · 08-13-2007, 11:46 AM

Totally.

When I was at the theater seeing Skinwalkers, I saw a lot of cool reactions from the D-War poster, it seems like a lot of people are intrigued about it. Oh and I took a picture of the poster too

And notice the outer space carpet

And this was 3 posters away from the Skinwalkers theater

Punkrocker · 08-13-2007, 01:50 PM

I really like that poster, I think that one's my favorite.

LongTimeFan · 08-13-2007, 03:24 PM

US articles are starting to use Jason's picture.

These two are pretty much the same but not exactly the same, so I've posted them both. Besides, they used different photographs.

ARTICLE

Quote:

Live action/computer-generated “D-War” to invade US after conquering homeland

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today/AFP) 8/13/07 — A graphics-rich fantasy film, “D-War,” has set South Korean production records with $30 million budget and will become Korea’s widest-ever opening in the U.S. with 1,700 screens bowing it on Sept. 14.

The film, starring Jason Behr (”The Grudge,” “Roswell”) is already a blockbuster in its native land, selling 5.7 million tickets since its release on August 1, distributor ShowBox said.

“The film has been drawing an enthusiastic response mainly due to its computer graphics, although it is still early to say whether it will set a new record,” ShowBox spokesperson Choi Geun-Ha told AFP.

The film, starring Hollywood actors and directed by comic actor Shim Hyung-Rae, was shot in Los Angeles with visual effects crafted by Shim’s studio.

It is based on the Korean legend of Buraki, a serpent which can transform itself into a dragon.

Ethan Kendrick, a TV news reporter played by Behr, investigates a mysterious mass murder in Los Angeles and recalls a Korean legend in which a malevolent Buraki emerges every 500 years to threaten the world.

Ethan must save Sarah (Amanda Brooks), who was a Korean girl in her past life and is destined to deliver the dragon ball which allows Buraki to transform.

Internet commentators have praised the homegrown computer graphics but some professional critics said Shim played on patriotism to sell a simplistic story. He inserted a traditional Korean song, Arirang, into the emotional ending credits.

Shim, 49, was a comedy icon of the 1980s before becoming a director and producer, making low-budget monster films for children.

“Some say the (D-War) story is simplistic, But let’s talk about ‘Spider-Man’ and ‘Transformers’. Are their stories serious?” he told reporters at a press preview.

“If this movie had been made by James Cameron, it would have turned the whole world upside down.

ARTICLE ARTICLE

Quote:

Biggest-budget SKorean movie set for US debut
Posted on Monday, August 13, 2007 (EST)
A monster movie which is South Korea's biggest-budget film has become a sell-out at home before its release next month in the United States, the distributor said Monday.

Jason Behr
© AFP/Getty Images/File
The monster movie "D-War," which is South Korea's biggest-budget film, staring Jason Behr, seen here in 2004, has become a sell-out at home before its release next month in the United States, the distributor said Monday.

SEOUL (AFP) - "D-War", a graphics-rich science fiction blockbuster, has sold 5.7 million tickets since its release on August 1, distributor ShowBox said.

At 30 million dollars the movie is the most expensive film ever made in South Korea. It is to be shown on 1,700 screens in the United States on September 14, the widest US release for a Korean film.

"The film has been drawing an enthusiastic response mainly due to its computer graphics, although it is still early to say whether it will set a new record," ShowBox spokesperson Choi Geun-Ha told AFP.

The film, starring Hollywood actors and directed by comic actor Shim Hyung-Rae, was shot in Los Angeles with visual effects crafted by Shim's studio.

It is based on the Korean legend of Buraki, a serpent which can transform itself into a dragon.

Ethan Kendrick, a TV news reporter played by Jason Behr, investigates a mysterious mass murder in Los Angeles and recalls a Korean legend in which a malevolent Buraki emerges every 500 years to threaten the world.

Ethan must save Sarah (Amanda Brooks), who was a Korean girl in her past life and is destined to deliver the dragon ball which allows Buraki to transform.

Internet commentators have praised the homegrown computer graphics but some professional critics said Shim played on patriotism to sell a simplistic story. He inserted a traditional Korean song, Arirang, into the emotional ending credits.

Shim, 49, was a comedy icon of the 1980s before becoming a director and producer, making low-budget monster films for children.

"Some say the (D-War) story is simplistic, But let's talk about 'Spider-Man' and 'Transformers'. Are their stories serious?" he told reporters at a press preview.

"If this movie had been made by James Cameron, it would have turned the whole world upside down."

**Crystaline** · 08-13-2007, 06:37 PM

Thanks for the articles! I've really got my fingers crossed for this movie when it comes out next month. Shim is going to bust his tail promoting it.

LongTimeFan · 08-13-2007, 07:24 PM

More interesting information...

ARTICLE

Quote:

Television Debate About Dragon Film 'D-War' Fires Up Korea
(2007/08/10)

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

The summer heat sizzled up as a 100-minute debate on the Korean blockbuster movie "D-War" televised live early Friday morning summoned an explosive public response via the Internet. As various film experts discussed comedian-turned-director Shim Hyung-rae's fantasy film _ with one bashing it as "unworthy of criticism" _ thousands of Netizens voiced their opinions through the MBC program's Web site.

After opening across some 690 screens nationwide Aug.1, the movie smashed local box office records by drawing in over 4.18 million moviegoers in just nine days as of Thursday, said distributor Showbox/Mediaplex.

Hosted by Professor Son Seok-hi of Sungshin Women's University, debaters questioned whether or not "D-War" is a source of hope for Korean films. The panel included Peter (Gwang-su) Kim Jho, CEO/producer of production company Generation Blue Films; cultural critic Jin Jung-gwon who is also a Chung-Ang University professor; Ha Jae-geun, cultural critic; and Sports Chosun reporter Kim Cheon-hong.

Jin attacked "D-War", saying that it owes its large following to "the patriotic appeal of a Korean film making a Hollywood debut, and director Shim Hyung-rae's pride for the domestically produced computer graphics". He further explained that the film, having only concentrated on computer graphics, lacks a plot and " is unworthy of criticism".

Alongside Jin, Kim Jho pointed out "D-War's" problematic marketing technique of utilizing elements unrelated to the film. To this, Kim Cheon-hong defended the film by saying that there is nothing wrong with employing patriotic requests, and that it is ultimately the audience's decision to watch a film.

The 100-minute talk stirred up Netizens, and even prior to its airing, Internet users posted some 7,000 entries on MBC's Web site. The number of posts added a further 4,500 during the live show and 5,000 after the debate ended.

Although many Netizens negatively criticized "D-War", they expressed disapproval of Jin's reasoning. One user, Hong Heon-pyo, wrote, "Critics must be ruthlessly objective, but Mr. Jin Jung-gwon said there was no need to even criticize the film". Hong rejected this notion, reasoning that patriotic marketing wouldn't even work unless the film was entertaining in the first place, and over four million people have already seen the film.

Another user, Lee Soyeong, criticized Jin as being unprofessional and rude for saying "It ticks me off that this big mess of a movie is receiving such one-sided support".

Yet another viewer, Kim Yun-sang, defended Jin, saying he was the only one to give a clear answer during the debate.

However, one Netizen, Park Kyeong-hwan, questioned the reason for holding the live talk in the first place. "There was no such debate when admissions for `The King and the Clown' surpassed 10 million. I don't understand why such a debate is necessary when `D-War' has only drawn over three million viewers", wrote Park.

Nevertheless, according to AGB Nielson Media Research, the TV debate scored a high following of 4.7-percent, up threefold from the program's usual view-rate. Meanwhile, a poll by a major online movie database �ƽ��-��*��Ʈ revealed Thursday, prior to the talk show, that 76.2 percent or 2,240 out of 2,938 of those surveyed agreed that "D-War" is a source of hope for Korean films. 10 percent, or 295, answered that it was not, while the remaing 13.7 percent, or 403, said they did not know.

The film's wide following, spreading like wildfire across the peninsula, immediately marked Shim's computer graphic venture on the map as a major blockbuster. But "D-War" is a "blockbuster" in the larger sense: Regardless of its positive or negative reviews as a motion picture, it has made a momentous social impact.

That is to say, although the film's continued success has yet to be observed, both here and abroad, the fact that "D-War" has inspired a heated debate on national TV, and that it has evoked immense public response, testify to the film's cultural significance.

Meanwhile, director Shim Hyung-rae, may not mind the negative criticism about his latest release. "I once told someone from Columbia Pictures that `Spider-Man 3' was not much fun and that the plotline wasn't well woven-together, but he said, `So what? It made money'. There is no `perfect' movie. There may be an `almost perfect' film, however", he said confidently about his work, during a press conference July 23 in a Seoul theater.

ARTICLE

Quote:

Behind-the-scenes secrets of D-War and other cultural contents revealed!
(2007/08/10)
Behind-the-scenes information on internationally popular cultural contents, marketing strategies, and various efforts for inventing and realizing technologies are to be revealed to the public at the DICON 2007.

Hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (Minister: Kim, Jong-Min) and sponsored by the Korea Culture and Content Agency (KOCCA, CEO: Suh, Byung-Moon) and the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE, Chairman: Shin, Hyun-Taek), the DICON 2007 is to be held at the Conference Center, COEX, in Samsung-dong, Seoul, which will run from Sept. 10 to 11....
....Of particular interest is a special lecture by director Shim Hyung-rae, who has showcased the advancement of Korea's CG with "D-War". Under the theme, "the Era of the Fusion of Technology and Emotion: The Role of CT", Shim will speak to the audience on not only about his experience in making "D-War" but also share with them many interesting behind-the-scenes stories.

ARTICLE

Quote:

Dragon FIlm 'D-War' Still Rules Box Office
(2007/08/13)
By Lee Hwan-hee
Staff Reporter
Shim Hyung-rae's monster film "D-War" is still the top box office draw as it enters the third week of its release. According to the Korean Box Office Information System (Open the link), which is overseen by the Korean Film Council, "D-War", for the weekend of Aug. 10-12, sold 1,143,676 tickets, outselling the second place film "May 18" by nearly twice the number of tickets.

The controversy regarding the merit of the film, where both the supporters and the detractors occupy opposing extremes, apparently has not hurt the film's popularity. Professor Jin Jung-gwon of Chung-Ang University, a prominent cultural critic, called the film "beneath criticism" on the MBC program 100-Minute Discussion that aired Aug. 10, attributing its success to the ad campaigns. Various online communities launched a vigorous defense of the film against criticisms from what they see as the critical establishment out of step with the public.

Since their release, "D-War" and "May 18", about the Gwangju uprising, have sold nearly 10 million tickets combined, with "D-War" selling just over 5 million tickets and "May 18" selling nearly 4.5 million. "D-War" is on track to match last year's "The Host", which sold 13 million tickets during its 9-week run, and remains the highest-grossing Korean film of all time. According to the figures released by the Korean Film Council, the estimated budget for "D-War" is at least 32 million U.S. Dollars, which excludes several additional production investments, about three times that of "The Host".

The new release, "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer", came in at third position mustering 227,690 tickets, with domestic thriller "Return", and the Disney animated film "Ratatouille" rounding out the top five.

ARTICLE

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'D-War' Setting Daily Box Office Records
(2007/08/09)

Many movie theaters around the nation are setting new daily box office records thanks to the domestic sci-fi blockbuster "D-War".

The Megabox chain, which operates ten multiplexes nationwide, set a new record at its Seoul COEX theater on Saturday, drawing 32,500 moviegoers in a single day.

A Megabox official says that thanks to "D-War", most Korean theaters set new daily records that day. He says that other releases such as the Korean historical drama "May 18" and the horror flick "Epitaph", Hollywood animated film "Ratatouille" and blockbuster "Die Hard Four-point-Oh" are all doing well.

The country's largest multiplex chain CGV also saw 29 out of its 47 theaters record new daily records for ticket sales on Saturday.

Reported by KBS WORLD Radio

And a not-so-favorable review...
[Review] D-War is a dog with no bark and no bite (2007/08/03)

And another not-so-favorable review... SPOILERS
[MOVIE REVIEW] 'D-War' upgrades computer graphics (2007/07/25)

**Crystaline** · 08-13-2007, 07:34 PM

So the reception is pretty split down the middle. It's doing well in theatres, but the criticism is fierce. If the movie is as successful here, they'd blow a gasket!

LongTimeFan · 08-13-2007, 07:39 PM

Yeah - but there's lots of public support, it would seem... Just like our critics are slamming Skinwalkers but most of us here who got to see it have liked it - at least a little.

I hate critics!

ARTICLE

Quote:

Supports and Applause to D-War, Along With Ambivalent Reactions (2007/08/06)

"D-War", directed by Shim Hyung-rae, has recorded a 2.2 million-ticket sale as of Saturday. The SF film features a legendary Korean monstrous creature, and contains a huge volume of computer graphic works. It has also set a new record. No Korean movie has attracted more than 2 million moviegoers in four days. Its distributor, Showbox, estimates that it would sell more than three million tickets as of August 5.

The rising ticket sales of "D-War" match the sales pace of the biggest-ever box office hit "The Host". Another Korean movie, "May 18" now on screen, sold more than three million tickets in 10 days. But it's not a match. Jumping on the wagon, almost 160 more movie theaters have begun to show "D-War". Originally, 530 theaters agreed to show the film.

Critics, as usual, gave bad reviews to the movie. But the film is selling just "off the shelf". Its awful CG effects and G-rating has fueled its commercial success. The highlight comes in the scene where the monster fights with the national guards in downtown L. A., and ascends to the afterlife.

Extraneous factors have also driven its success. Director Shim's personal success story has moved many viewers. In addition, the national pride of Koreans leads Korean viewers to theater. They wish a movie created by a fellow Korean to win over Hollywood blockbusters. Lots of Koreans have posted comments on the web, urging other Koreans to watch it. Showbox director Kim Tae-seong confirms, "I have never seen emotional factors play such a huge role".

Pride against Hollywood-

Director Shim promised to play it in the United States to begin with. Showbox tried to open it at American theaters first. But it changed its strategy and will play it in the Untied States starting September. It has recruited 1,500 theaters. No other Korean film can match "D-War" in terms of the theater size.

"Many Koreans hope "D-War" becomes a big hit in the U.S. They thus think they should chip in. They have never seen a Korean SF film make inroads into America. They are hoping one makes it this time", explains Kim. A Korean popular folk song "Arirang" is played near the end, which reportedly moved many Korean moviegoers.

Applause for director Shim-

Koreans have begun to perceive Director Shim differently. When his first film Yonggary ended up in failure, some people deemed him to be some sort of con artist. Now, people applaud him for his persistence and are sharing his hardship and joy together. Appearing on TV talk shows, he has persuaded and fostered the sympathy. All ages of Koreans now give him a "standing ovation" on sight. No one thinks of him as a slapstick comedian any more.

Continuing support-

Critics' harsh words backfired on them, and helped Shim win even more viewers. Park Do-seong, who opened a cyber-community on naver.com, confirms, "Shim started with good intentions. I hate to see and read people criticizing him. That's why I opened the community". Konkuk psychiatrics professor Hah Ji-hyeon explains, "People tend to maintain a 'middle-of-the-road' approach. When critics attacked Shim, the public revolted and gathered around to support Shim".

"D-War" supporters have waged cyber-attacks on critics' homepages. A war over "D-War" is being waged between those who love the film and those who hate it. The pro-"D-War" Koreans even paralyzed the blog of Director Lee Song-hee-il, who severely disparaged the film.

Movie critic Kim Bong-seok urges, ""D-War" may lack artfulness. This film, however, definitely gives us lots of fun. The fierce arguments do not help us. We need to care more about Korean movies".

**Crystaline** · 08-13-2007, 07:44 PM

Seriously. They're gun ho to slam anything that isn't a serious drama. They get paid to hate stuff.