New Tactics Aim to Make Korean Film a Hit in the U.S.

Korean companies like Hyundai and Samsung started as punch lines but overcame quality and distribution problems to become industry giants. Now, a film producer based in Seoul wants to pull off a similar trick in the movie business. The producer, Hyung Rae Shim is aiming a film squarely at American moviegoers, an ambitious and expensive endeavor called “Dragon Wars.” Hissing, computer-generated dragons terrorize Los Angeles as a television reporter unravels a mystery that will stop them. The film’s $30 million budget, which typically does not buy the kind of special effects that American moviegoers have come to expect, is thought to be the largest ever for a Korean studio. Based on a Korean legend, “Dragon Wars” features American actors (Jason Behr from “The Grudge” plays the lead) and has a large marketing budget, even by Hollywood standards. Unlike most Korean films, “Dragon Wars” was filmed in English and distributed in South Korea with subtitles, a controversial decision. Korean pride will deliver big audiences, at least in cities like Los Angeles that have burgeoning Korean populations. To stoke that pride, Mr. Shim included a written message at the end of his movie, one that underscores his desire to make Hollywood his playground: “D-War and I will succeed in the world market without fail.”

Have you ever seen the Korean movie? If you don't, I really recommend you guys to see this wonderful movie!! It has lots of awesome computer grapics and is like lively moving dragon! The producer, Hyung Rae Shim has been making lots of movies like Dragon Wars. But he failed and failed because of lack of computer grapic designing! But finally he did it! He creates sweet movie! I am very proud of that! Let's go to theater to see “Dragon Wars” this weekend! ^^