Space Monster Wangmagwi Coming to Home Video

[Terasawa]

So, what's the deal with this film having been 'lost'? Did it just resurface when this release was announced, or...?

It wasn’t really “lost”, just not available anywhere outside of South Korea. It didn’t see a home media release anywhere and was only available through prints at the Korean Film Archive and digital copies viewable on-site only. It aired on TV a couple of times but nobody was able to record it.

Ah. I guess that probably doesn't bode well for its quality, but we'll see.

If the Google translation of the KMDb entry is correct, the Korean Film Archive holds the original camera negative, a master positive, and a release print. They created an HD master in 2010, for which the release print ideally should have only been used to fill what the other two earlier generation sources might be missing (if anything). Now, granted, that doesn't guarantee any of those elements is in pristine condition, but I think the fact an HD master was made and that it's getting a home media release is good reason to believe this will be at worst only acceptable.

[Legion1979]

Good you see you back, Teresawa. Some actual knowledge on topics like these is always welcome.

[Terasawa]

Good you see you back, Teresawa. Some actual knowledge on topics like these is always welcome.

Thanks! But I don't anticipate being around very often.

[G-Matt]

[Tyrant_Lizard_King]

Might not be the best picture ever but seems more than serviceable.

[LegendZilla]

The production values seem pretty good for 60's South Korea.

[Major sssspielberg!]

I wonder what the rights situation is to Wangmagwi and his design. Anybody know anything about Korean copyright law?

[Iced Snowman]

Pre-order started at 7pm EST today. I just got mine w/ the rolled poster!

[mikelcho]

I'd love to have this one to go with Yongary, Monster from the Deep! Will it be available in stores, or can you only buy it online from the web site of the company that's releasing it?

[Mac Daddy MM]

BUMP!

Got my copy and it's exactly what I was expecting. Super low budget, laughable everything and completely unsure if it wants to be a serious or comical kaiju movie. Pretty sure I heard a lot of the music in Yongary. This won't become one of my go-to movies by any means, but it's nice to have seen it after almost two decades of only hearing about it. But man, if there was ever ANY movie that could use a dub... It's this.

[UltramanGoji]

I'd love to have this one to go with Yongary, Monster from the Deep! Will it be available in stores, or can you only buy it online from the web site of the company that's releasing it?

The latter. It won't be sold in stores.

[edgaguirus]

That's unfortunate, but at least we can still get it.

[JAGzilla]

Annoying. I was waiting to see if it would turn up on Amazon. Oh well, I'll still get it at some point.

[StreamOfKaijuness]

What a fun movie this turned out to be! I was surprised by how much of a deliberate comedy it is, from the kid crawling around inside the monster's ears and sinuses to the two guys betting everything they have to see which of them can stay put the longest during the monster's rampage. There are two different instances of characters likening the monster to King Kong. At one point there's a guy trapped in a crowded building who can't find a restroom and resorts to squatting over a newspaper in front of everybody.

There are a few moments where it seems like there might be some footage missing. I haven't listened to the audio commentary yet but I'm sure it will shed more light on everything.

I liked this more than Yongary.

[Creature22]

A friend and I watched this a few weeks ago. We both loved it, expecting it to be low budget but not expecting the large amount of humor or jokes. A lot of it is experimental but also purposefully funny, and there were a few good memorable moments that we’re still talking about weeks later. I’m very glad I finally got to see it.

It does make me wonder about the 1962 Bulgasari (if it even exists) and what that must have looked like in comparison. I wouldn’t mind seeing any of these characters brought back from hibernation for a psychological South Korean reboot.

[JAGzilla]

I'd love to have this one to go with Yongary, Monster from the Deep! Will it be available in stores, or can you only buy it online from the web site of the company that's releasing it?

Turns out there's a DVD release that's coming to Amazon in June. I don't know if it will show up in physical stores, but given its obscurity, I wouldn't think so. As online shopping goes, though, Amazon is as safe and reliable as it gets. I very rarely have any kind of problems with them.

[Pkmatrix]

Watched this the other night and was surprised, it wasn't what I expected. Much more of a comedy than a thought, and with a bit of an odd sense of humor - kept thinking how weird it was. xD Honestly impressed by the miniatures! There were several shots where I was surprised to find it wasn't a composite shot, and some of the miniature buildings are not only very detailed but quite huge for the era. Definitely recognized at least one music track from Yongary (it has this distinctive bit with a harp). Glad to finally say I've gotten to see this after spending most of my life being told it was a lost film!

[SpiderZilla]

I watched this on Tubi last night. I’m glad I didn’t pay for it. I found most of the humor to be either crude or painfully drawn out. The plot is paper thin and left me shaking my head. The only redeeming feature was the miniature work which was quite impressive at times.

[mikelcho]

I got this film on Blu-ray a while back. Can't wait to see it!