Chaw (2009 Film)

Chaw (Korean: 차우; RR: Chawoo) is a 2009 South Korean creature feature film directed by Shin Jung-Won. The film blends elements of adventure, action, and suspense-thriller, focusing on a rural community terrorized by a mutated, man-eating wild boar.

Plot

The story is set in Sameri, a quiet village located at the foot of Mt. Jiri, which has remained incident-free for a decade. The peace is shattered when human remains are discovered, leading to the realization that a massive, man-eating wild boar—described as being two meters in length and weighing approximately 410 kilograms—is stalking the area.

Former hunter Cheon Il-Man, who lost his granddaughter, becomes convinced that the boar is responsible for her disappearance. He joins forces with a group of residents and experts to track and eliminate the creature. The hunting party includes Kim Sun-Kyeong, professional animal hunter Baek, Detective Shin, and animal ecosystem researcher Su-Ryeon.

Cast

Actor Uhm Tae-Woong — Uhm Tae-Woong as Kim Sun-Kyeong.

Actress Jung Yu-Mi — Jung Yu-Mi as Su-Ryeon.

Actor Jang Hang-Seon — Jang Hang-Seon as Cheon Il-Man.

Actor Yoon Je-Moon — Yoon Je-Moon as animal hunter Baek.

Actor Park Hyuk-Kwon — Park Hyuk-Kwon as Detective Shin.

Scene from the film Chaw — A scene from the production of Chaw.

Reception and Box Office

Chaw was released in South Korea on July 16, 2009. During its opening weekend (July 17–19), the film debuted at number two at the South Korean box office, selling 399,658 tickets across 532 screens, accounting for 19.2% of total ticket sales. Over the course of its theatrical run, the film sold approximately 1.7 million tickets and grossed 12.4 billion KRW, maintaining a position in the top ten for four weeks.

Film Festivals

The film was screened at several international festivals, including:

2009 (42nd) Sitges Film Festival (Orient Express - Casa Asia)
2010 (9th) New York Asian Film Festival (North American Premiere)
2010 (9th) Asian Film Festival of Dallas (Southwest Premiere)