Attempt to Normalize the Film Industry, Once Again into a Maze...

Emergency in Audience Attendance Due to Metropolitan Area Social Distancing Raised to Level 2
Sharp Decline Last Weekend... Traditional Peak Season 'Year-End' Is a Thing of the Past

On the 8th, while social distancing level 2.5 is in effect due to the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Seoul CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall is quiet.
Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

The film industry has been engulfed in a somber atmosphere. Attempts to normalize the situation have fallen into a maze due to the elevation of social distancing to Level 2 in the Seoul metropolitan area.

Attendance at movie theaters has already dwindled. According to the Korea Film Council's integrated ticketing system, the number of moviegoers over the past weekend (20th?22nd) was 442,134. This is 137,698 fewer than the second weekend of this month (13th?15th), which saw 579,832 attendees. Except for the new release Run (108,34 tickets sold), most films experienced a sharp decline.

The film Dogul, which attracted the largest audience, was no exception. It drew only 156,394 viewers, 40.5% (106,615) fewer than the second weekend of this month. Samjin Group English TOEIC Class (50,113) and The Day I Died (35,504) also attracted 51.9% (54,095) and 64.9% (65,606) fewer viewers, respectively. The overall seat occupancy rate was 7.2%. No film securing more than 10,000 seats surpassed a 10% occupancy rate.

The critical point is this week. The elevation to Level 2 social distancing in the metropolitan area has put audience turnout in jeopardy. As of 10 a.m. on the 23rd, no film has sold more than 10,000 tickets in advance. Except for the new release Neighbor (8,215), all films have fewer than 4,000 reservations. These include Run (3,971), Dogul (2,172), Samjin Group English TOEIC Class (1,026), and Marie Curie (934).

The sluggish pace may continue into next month. Under Level 2 social distancing, movie theaters must operate with every other seat left empty. Offline events such as premieres and stage greetings are also restricted. Facing unfavorable conditions for box office success, distributors may forgo the traditional peak season at year-end. In fact, films scheduled for release next month, such as Seobok and Life is Beautiful, are reconsidering their release dates. They plan to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and decide on specific schedules accordingly.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.