Once Upon a Time in the Middle East vs Welcome to Dongmakgol
Once Upon a Time in the Middle East has the higher audience score (9.2/10 against 7.4/10 for Welcome to Dongmakgol). Welcome to Dongmakgol is the shorter watch at 2h 13m compared with 2h 20m. Welcome to Dongmakgol is the older of the two (2005 against 2026). Both are drama, war movies, so they suit a similar mood.
Once Upon a Time in the Middle East
Welcome to Dongmakgol| Once Upon a Time in the Middle East | Welcome to Dongmakgol | |
|---|---|---|
| Audience score | ★ 9.2/10 | ★ 7.4/10 |
| Year | 2026 | 2005 |
| Length | 2h 20m | 2h 13m |
| Genres | Drama, War | Comedy, Drama, War |
| Country | – | – |
| Director | Wen Muye | Bae Jong |
| Main cast | Aarif Rahman, Jiang Qiming, Wei Qing, Michael Koltes, Zhang Xiwei | Lee Yong-nyeo, Shin Ha-kyun, Yoo Seung-mok, Jung Jae-young, Kang Hye-jung |
Synopsis
Once Upon a Time in the Middle East
Xu Fu travels to the Middle East to work as a chef in a Chinese restaurant to pay off family debts, where he meets floor manager Ma Junsheng. Their Dragon Restaurant rises to fame, attracting crowds with authentic‑tasting Chinese food. But war breaks out, and local conditions take a drastic turn for the worse. No one can remain unaffected. What lies ahead for them? And how will the Dragon Restaurant hold on amid the war?
Welcome to Dongmakgol
Based on the long running play by Jang Jin, the story is set in Korea during the Korean War in 1950. Soldiers from both the North and South, as well as an American pilot, find themselves in a secluded and naively idealistic village, its residents unaware of the outside world, including the war.
Where to watch
Where to watch Once Upon a Time in the Middle EastWhere to watch Welcome to Dongmakgol
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