Youngjinwi’s official statistics record the lowest number of visitors… Seat sales rate 1.7%
Losses grow out of control as prime-time operational braking
A movie theater in downtown Seoul is busier than usual on the 7th, a day before the government’s implementation of the 2.5-step increase in social distancing in the metropolitan area. / Reporter Moon Ho-nam munonam@
The movie theater was empty. It suffers from extreme sluggishness due to the double reason for social distancing and a new work of drought.
According to the integrated computer network for movie theater admission rights of the Film Promotion Committee on the 5th, the number of visitors to the movie theater the previous day was 14,519. It recorded the record low in official statistics of Youngjinwi. It is 910 fewer than the 1,5429 on April 7, last year, the lowest ever audience. The seat sales rate remained at 1.7%. Even two people did not enter the theater with 100 seats.
The box office record is terrible. ‘Wonder Woman 1984 (5485 people)’ who took the lead could not mobilize even 10,000 people. The second place’Hwayang Yeonhwa’ was limited to 1659, and the rest of the films were not able to collect even 1,000. All the films that were screened on this day were eighty-two. The sales are only 121.9 million won.
The extreme sluggishness is close to the predicted results. This is because the business ceased after 9pm in the 2.5th stage of the government’s social distancing. Movie theaters are virtually unable to accommodate visitors from 7 p.m. with a running time of 1.5 to 2 hours. In the case of’Wonder Woman 1984′ with a running time of 2 hours and 31 minutes, the deadline is 6:20 pm.
A movie theater in downtown Seoul is busier than usual on the 7th, a day before the government’s implementation of the 2.5-step increase in social distancing in the metropolitan area. / Reporter Moon Ho-nam munonam@
An official from the multiplex said, “We have no choice but to give up the operation during prime time (7-8 pm) on weekdays,” and “The 2.5 stage of social distancing is expected to be extended until the 17th, resulting in greater damage.” Another official said, “It is a treatment that ignores the efforts of movie theaters that have thoroughly quarantined the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19).”
In fact, the largest multiplex CGV in Korea has stopped operating eight direct-managed stores such as Daehak-ro, Myeong-dong Station Cine Library, and Incheon Airport, and ten consignment stores such as Andong, Daegu Chilgok, and Haeundae. An official said, “There is no other alternative than temporary closure.”
The flow of ugliness can continue until the end of this month. This is because domestic and foreign distributors are delaying the release of medium and large-sized movies. Walt Disney Company Korea is releasing the animated film’Soul’ on the 20th, but this may also be misfired if the spread of Corona 19 increases. A multiplex official said, “It seems difficult to rebound until the month following the Lunar New Year holiday.” Another official said, “There is no government support related to rent, so it is likely that the difficulties will increase for a while.”
Reporter Lee Jong-gil [email protected]