Movie Theaters Suffering Double Hardships Finally Hit Rock Bottom

KOFIC Official Statistics Record Lowest Audience Ever... Seat Sales Rate at 1.7%
Losses Grow Uncontrollably as Prime Time Operations Are Restricted

A movie theater in Seoul is less crowded than usual on the 7th, a day before the government implements the 2.5-level social distancing measures in the metropolitan area. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

The movie theaters are empty. They are suffering from severe sluggishness due to the dual hardships of social distancing level 2.5 and a drought of new releases.

According to the Korea Film Council's integrated ticketing system on the 5th, the number of moviegoers who visited theaters the previous day was 14,519. This is the lowest number ever recorded in the official statistics of the Korea Film Council. It is 910 fewer than the previous record low of 15,429 on April 7 last year. The seat occupancy rate remained at 1.7%. In a theater with 100 seats, fewer than two people entered.

The box office record is at a disastrous level. The leader, "Wonder Woman 1984" (5,485 people), failed to attract even 10,000 viewers. The second place, "Hwayangyeonhwa," drew only 1,659 people, and the other films failed to gather even 1,000 viewers. A total of eighty-two films were screened that day. The revenue was only 121,905,150 KRW.

The extreme sluggishness is close to a predicted outcome. This is because the government’s social distancing level 2.5 has halted operations after 9 p.m. Movie theaters, with running times of 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, can practically not accommodate viewers from 7 p.m. onwards. For "Wonder Woman 1984," which runs for 2 hours and 31 minutes, the deadline is 6:20 p.m.

On the 7th, a day before the government’s implementation of raising social distancing to level 2.5 in the Seoul metropolitan area, a movie theater in downtown Seoul is less crowded than usual. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

A multiplex official said, "We have no choice but to give up operating during the prime time on weekdays (7-8 p.m.)," adding, "Since social distancing level 2.5 has been extended until the 17th, greater damage is expected." Another official said, "This disregards the efforts of movie theaters that have thoroughly carried out quarantine measures against the spread of COVID-19," and added, "The losses have become uncontrollable, so suspending operations might be a better choice."

In fact, CGV, the largest multiplex chain in Korea, has suspended operations at eight directly managed locations including Daehangno, Myeongdong Station Cine Library, and Incheon Airport, as well as ten consignment locations such as Andong, Daegu Chilgok, and Haeundae. An official said, "There are no alternatives other than temporary closure."

This bleak trend may continue until the end of this month. This is because domestic and international distributors are postponing the release of medium to large-scale films. Walt Disney Company Korea is releasing the animated film "Soul" on the 20th, but this too could be canceled if the spread of COVID-19 worsens. A multiplex official said, "It seems difficult to see a rebound until next month, which includes the Lunar New Year holiday." Another official said, "There is no government support related to rent, so difficulties are expected to intensify for a while."

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