Starting August 8th, moviegoers across South Korea can enjoy a 6,000 won discount on ticket prices at participating cinemas, including CGV, Lotte Cinema, and Megabox. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Film Council announced the additional distribution of 2.05 million movie discount coupons, each offering a 6,000 won reduction.
Expanded Discount Program Aims to Boost Cinema Attendance
This initiative is part of a broader effort to revitalize the film industry and encourage more people to visit movie theaters. The Ministry secured a total budget for 4.5 million discount coupons, having initially distributed 2.25 million in the first round in May. Following the first distribution, weekly box office revenue saw a significant increase of 47.9%, rising to 15.9 billion won from 10.7 billion won the previous week.
The newly released coupons can be used on the official websites and mobile applications of CGV. For each cinema, online members will automatically receive two coupons per person. These coupons can be applied during the ticket purchase process. It’s important to note that any unused coupons will automatically expire once the allocated quantity for each cinema is exhausted.
Availability and Usage Details
- Distribution Start: August 8th, starting at 10 AM.
- Coupon Value: 6,000 won discount per ticket.
- Total Coupons: 2.05 million additional coupons available.
- Applicable Cinemas: CGV, Lotte Cinema, Megabox, and other major chains.
- Redemption: Automatically applied to online member accounts for CGV; apply during checkout.
- Expiration: Unused coupons expire once the cinema’s quota is met.
For independent and art-house cinemas, as well as smaller theaters, a different distribution method was employed. Instead of a phased release, these venues have been offering on-site discounts since May 13th on a first-come, first-served basis, as they did not participate in the initial two-phase coupon distribution.
Stackable Discounts and Special Offers
These 6,000 won discount coupons can be combined with other existing discount programs, such as the ‘Culture Day’ discount, discounts for individuals with disabilities, seniors, and early bird specials. On the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, when the ‘Culture Day’ discount is applied, movie tickets can be purchased for as low as 4,000 won. However, these coupons cannot be combined with telecommunication company membership discounts.
The government’s efforts, including this coupon distribution, aim to support the film industry, which has faced challenges, particularly with the rise of streaming services. By making moviegoing more affordable, officials hope to see a resurgence in cinema attendance and contribute to the overall cultural landscape.
