[Zoom In] "Omicron? Vaccine Pass? Moviegoers Will Now Come to Theaters"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] "No matter how fierce the spread is, now the atmosphere is that people who want to watch movies come to the theaters."

'With Corona' (gradual recovery of daily life) was halted after one month of implementation. Recently, the number of new COVID-19 cases exceeded 5,000, setting daily records, and as the Omicron variant entered the country, the government strengthened quarantine measures again.

Accordingly, from the 6th, a quarantine pass is required to enter movie theaters and performance venues. The quarantine pass is a kind of certificate proving that one has completed vaccination or tested negative in a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test. Vaccination requires 14 days after the 2nd dose, or after the 1st dose for Janssen, and a QR code must be presented via the electronic vaccination certificate COOV app or linked apps.

The application of the quarantine pass for adolescents will be implemented from February 1st, after an approximately 8-week grace period.

However, the government has stated that there will be no further social distancing measures. As a result, theaters have avoided the worst-case scenario of screening time restrictions.

The vaccine pass theaters have effectively disappeared. This is due to concerns about COVID-19 cluster infections and breakthrough infections. Previously, vaccine pass theaters allowed entry only to vaccinated individuals, who could sit side by side with their party and consume popcorn and other food, but this is no longer the case. Masks must be worn in all screening rooms while watching movies, and food consumption is prohibited, though water and beverages are allowed.

Reporters are no exception. To enter press screenings held at theaters, a quarantine pass must be possessed. All film industry personnel attending on-site must comply, and actors are no exception.

Accordingly, for the upcoming screenings of 'Kingmaker' starring Seol Kyung-gu and Lee Sun-kyun on the 13th, 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' on the 14th, 'The King's Man: The First Agent' on the 15th, and the 2021 Women Filmmakers Festival on the 16th, entry will be denied without a quarantine pass.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

'Spider-Man: No Way Home' still/Photo by Sony Pictures

Film companies, cautiously preparing releases expecting the theater situation to improve during the December winter vacation and year-end holidays, are monitoring the situation but intend to proceed with the scheduled release dates.

The film industry has been focusing on the Marvel new release 'Spider-Man: No Way Home,' opening on the 15th. Marvel has a solid fan base, and it is expected that the number of audiences visiting theaters will increase significantly. Following this, 'The King's Man: The First Agent' and 'The Matrix: Resurrections' will open on the 22nd, and 'Kingmaker' on the 29th, all in quick succession.

A film industry insider said, "The atmosphere is different from when the number of COVID-19 cases increased before. Now people understand that it is difficult to gauge the spread, and even if the number of confirmed cases decreases, if there are no new releases in theaters, audiences will not come."

He added, "Even if interesting blockbusters are released, the overall audience pie visiting theaters has shrunk, and this atmosphere is likely to continue for a while. I am more curious than ever about audience reactions to 'Spider-Man: No Way Home.' Through this, we might estimate the maximum audience turnout for theaters."

The insider also said, "Now, regardless of the COVID-19 spread, the atmosphere is that people who want to watch movies come to theaters. In other words, the number of confirmed cases or the spread does not seem to affect attendance as much as before. Although it is difficult to guarantee the situation with variant viruses, films scheduled for release at the end of the year and early next year are not considering postponing their schedules due to the application of quarantine passes in theaters. However, they are cautiously preparing releases while monitoring the atmosphere."

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