Yonggary (1999 film)

Yonggary is a 1999 South Korean monster film directed by Shim Hyung-rae. It is a reimagining of the 1967 film of the same name, also known internationally as Reptilian.

The 1999 film features a giant reptilian monster, Yonggary, who is awakened from dormancy due to underground nuclear tests. The monster initially attacks cities, causing widespread destruction. Scientists eventually discover a way to control Yonggary using a special substance, and attempt to use him to defend against an even greater threat: an alien monster called Cykor.

The film is notable for its significant use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) for its time, though the visual effects are often criticized for their quality. Despite being a Korean production, Yonggary was primarily marketed towards an international audience and features a predominantly English-speaking cast. The film was released in several different versions, including heavily edited cuts with altered storylines and dialogue. Its international release was plagued with distribution issues and poor reviews.

Yonggary (1999) is considered a significant example of South Korean cinema's attempt to compete in the global monster movie market, albeit with limited success. Despite its shortcomings, it remains a notable entry in the kaiju film genre due to its ambitious scope and early adoption of CGI technology.