Why is 2007 Korean monster film 'D-War' suddenly a Netflix hit in Europe?

Nearly two decades after its theatrical release, director Shim Hyung-rae’s 2007 science-fiction fantasy film "D-War" has surged on Netflix to spark renewed international interest.

The film reached No. 2 on the streaming platform's movie charts in major European markets.

According to data released by streaming rankings tracker FlixPatrol, "D-War" ranked No. 6 on its global Netflix movie chart on Aug. 8 and 9, before slipping to No. 9 on Tuesday.

The film climbed to No. 2 in France, Germany and Italy.

Shim directed and co-wrote the 2007 film, which blends the fantasy genre with traditional Korean elements.

The movie features an "imugi," a mythical serpent from Korean folklore, and includes a regional version of the folk song "Arirang." During its original domestic run, "D-War" sold about 8.4 million tickets in Korean theaters.

However, the film received mixed reviews upon release, with audiences and critics divided over its narrative execution and computer-generated effects.

The unexpected chart revival began after the film was added to Netflix on Aug. 6.

Foreign media have attributed th