Cultural Day Offers Thousand-Won Movie Tickets,Boosting Cinema Attendance
Today,the 30th,marks a critically important “Cultural Day” in South Korea,presenting citizens with numerous opportunities to enjoy cultural activities at reduced prices. A key highlight is the government-subsidized “1,000 Won movie Ticket” initiative, designed to invigorate the domestic film industry.
The special discount allows moviegoers to purchase tickets for general screenings between 5 PM and 9 PM for just 1,000 won. This offer, funded by an additional government budget, has already generated considerable excitement, with theaters reporting a surge in interest even before the discount period begins.
While the movie discount vouchers are valid until September 2nd, today represents the peak prospect for consumers to maximize their savings. At the yongsan Multiplex Cinema, as a notable example, screenings after 5 PM are seeing seats fill up rapidly, irrespective of genre. This indicates a strong public response to the affordability of the cinematic experience.
The impact of these cultural initiatives is already evident in attendance figures. Compared to the previous week, when discount tickets where first distributed, the number of cinema visitors has seen a dramatic increase. Over the past weekend and holiday, attendance climbed to approximately 100,000 peopel, a ample rise from the initial 20,000. Moreover, weekday attendance, including yesterday, has mirrored weekend numbers, with over 80,000 to 90,000 visitors, reflecting a 46% surge.
Industry observers are keenly watching whether this boost will provide much-needed relief to theaters, which are currently experiencing one of their most challenging periods in two decades, excluding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While multiplex cinemas have largely integrated the discount ticket system through their existing platforms and applications, smaller venues, such as self-reliant cinemas, are offering the discount on a first-come, first-served basis for on-site bookings today. This ensures that the benefits of Cultural Day extend to a wider range of cinematic establishments.
Reporting from Yongsan Multiplex Cinema,this is Song Jae-in of YTN.
