D-War

Lore & Background

The film follows Ethan Kendrick, who as a child is charged by the enigmatic Jack to protect the Yuh Yi Joo, a person born able to change an Imoogi chosen by heaven into a Celestial Dragon. The corrupt Imoogi Buraki seeks to capture the Yuh Yi Joo, Sarah Daniels, in Los Angeles. Fifteen years later, Buraki invades the city with his Atrox Army, which includes black-armored knights, theropod-like Shaconnes, winged Bulcos, and slow-moving Dawdlers carrying rocket-launchers. Ethan and Sarah escape but are captured, and a battle between the Good Imoogi and Buraki ensues, ending with the Good Imoogi becoming a Celestial Dragon and destroying Buraki.

Reader's Guide

D-War was the highest-budgeted South Korean film at the time of its release and the first Korean film in nearly 30 years to receive a wide theatrical release in North America. It grossed $79 million worldwide, including $44 million in South Korea and $10.98 million in North America. Despite its box office success in Korea, the film received negative reviews from critics, who criticized its script and acting while noting impressive CGI effects. The film's appeal in Korea was partly attributed to nationalist sentiment, though Korean critics also panned it. A sequel, D-War II: Mysteries of the Dragon, was announced in 2016 but appears to have been shelved.

Did You Know?

• The film was originally titled Dragon Wars and had a budget reported as high as US$99 million, though the established figure is approximately US$35 million.
• It was not the first Korean film in nearly 30 years to receive a wide theatrical release in North America; several Korean films, such as 'Shiri' (1999) and 'The Host' (2006), had wide releases before 2007.
• The final scene was broadcast on South Korean TV without permission, causing a controversy that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said did not violate copyright laws.
• A sequel was announced in 2016 but no further information has been released.