Cinema and Performance Venue Operations Get a Breather

Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Adjusts Entry Time to 9 PM
"Creating an Environment Where Movie Theaters Can Be Visited on Weekday Evenings"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Relief is coming to the operation of movie theaters and performance venues. The screening time window during the prime evening hours is being expanded.

On the 31st, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters extended the strengthened social distancing measures for two weeks and adjusted the entry time for movie theaters and performance venues to 9 PM. The period is from the 3rd to the 16th of next month. Previously, operating hours were limited until 10 PM. A government official stated, "Due to the 2-3 hour screening times causing significant operational difficulties and the relatively low risk, restrictions have been eased."

With this measure, operating hours have effectively been extended until midnight. An additional screening session in the evening will boost weekday audience attendance. Hwang Jae-hyun, head of PR at CGV, said, "Conditions have been created for office workers and others to comfortably watch movies after work," adding, "We believe this will help not only recover sales but also normalize movie theater operations." He also promised, "We will arrange a variety of films to broaden customer choices while maintaining a safe quarantine system." Song Ha-gil, head of communications at Lotte Cultureworks, also said, "It is encouraging that an environment has been created where people can visit movie theaters on weekday evenings," and added, "We will support the government's efforts to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant through thorough quarantine."

With this easing measure, distributors are expected not to delay or avoid releases. Films scheduled to hit the screens next month include 'Innocent Witness' starring Jo Jin-woong and Choi Woo-shik, and the animation 'Sing 2 Together' (both on the 5th), 'Special Delivery' starring Park So-dam, Steven Spielberg's 'West Side Story',

Sha Mo's 'Youth', Ridley Scott's 'House of Gucci' (both on the 12th), Bruno Dumont's 'France' (13th), and 'The Pirates: Goblin Flag' starring Kang Ha-neul and Han Hyo-joo (26th), among others.

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