Suspicion of Box Office Manipulation Involving Dozens of Films Including 'Geudaega Joguk'

Suspicion of Audience Manipulation by Cinemas and Distributors Expands
Additional Charges Possible After Analysis of Seized Materials

The police are expanding their investigation into films suspected of manipulating box office rankings from the original 4 titles to several dozen.

According to the police on the 15th, the Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency conducted a search and seizure on the 13th targeting multiplexes CGV, Lotte Cinema, Megabox, and distributors Lotte Entertainment, Showbox, and Kidari Studio on charges of obstruction of business, securing ticket issuance records for dozens of films.

Movie 'Geudaega Joguk' Poster [Photo by Et9 Film]

They are suspected of falsifying movie audience numbers to disrupt box office rankings and obstruct the work of the Korean Film Council.

The films suspected of audience number manipulation include four titles: Emergency Declaration (Showbox), Hot Blood, and Rain and Your Story (Kidari Studio).

The companies subject to the search and seizure stated that they "will cooperate sincerely with the investigation."

The police listed several dozen films suspected of audience number manipulation, including the initial four. They plan to add cinemas and distributors to the investigation if further evidence is found through data analysis.

The list also includes the documentary film Geudaega Joguk (You Are Joguk), which covers former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk's appointment and the prosecution investigation. The film was released on May 25 last year and accumulated 330,000 viewers.

Jung Sang-jin, CEO of the distributor Et9 Film for Geudaega Joguk, expressed his grievance on his social media on the same day.

CEO Jung stated, "Last year, we conducted crowdfunding to secure screening venues. Among the supporters through crowdfunding, many contributed by sponsoring seats. Their contributions also helped secure screening venues."

He further explained, "For preview screenings for supporters, seats in less favorable locations (front rows and side seats with poor viewing conditions) were provided by the distributor."

He added, "For screenings planned with events and audience talks, we secured screening schedules through minimum guarantees. Additional venue rental fees for extended event times were paid to cinemas through ticket issuance."

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