The Korean government will distribute 2.25 million movie ticket discount coupons worth 6,000 won each on a first-come, first-served basis. Because the distribution falls on "Culture Day" on the 13th (Wednesday) — when movies can be seen for 10,000 won — moviegoers who combine both discounts will be able to watch films for just 4,000 won.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Korean Film Council said Wednesday that 2.25 million movie ticket discount coupons worth 6,000 won each will be distributed starting at 10 a.m. on the 13th. The ministry previously secured 27.1 billion won ($19.9 million) in movie discount support through a supplementary budget last month, with plans to provide a total of 4.5 million discount coupons. Of these, 2.25 million will be distributed first, with the remaining 2.25 million to be provided additionally in July during the peak season.
The coupons can be used on the 13th through the websites and mobile apps of multiplex cinema chains CGV, Lotte Cinema, Megabox and Cine Q. Each online member will automatically receive two coupons in their coupon box at each cinema chain, which can be applied at ticket checkout. However, once each cinema's allocation is exhausted, the discount will end, and unused coupons in members' coupon boxes will also automatically expire.
The coupons can be stacked with existing movie discount programs, including "Culture Day" (Wednesday), disability discounts, senior discounts, youth discounts and early morning discounts. In particular, since movies can currently be watched for 10,000 won on the second and last Wednesdays of each month under the "Culture Day" program, combining both discounts brings the ticket price down to 4,000 won.
Beyond multiplex cinemas, the discount coupons will also be available at various other venues, including independent and art film theaters, small cinemas and silver cinemas catering to older audiences. Cinemas that cannot offer coupons online due to system limitations will distribute them on-site on a first-come, first-served basis. However, if the post-discount price falls below 1,000 won, viewers must pay a minimum of 1,000 won. In addition, partner card billing discounts apply when cardholders meet each card company's minimum payment threshold, but telecom carrier membership discounts cannot be stacked.
The MCST also distributed 4.5 million discount coupons last year, though the annual audience count narrowly held the 100 million mark at 106.09 million. This year, however, the market has been buoyed by releases such as "The King and the Man Who Lived With Him," which surpassed 10 million viewers. "We will strengthen policy support so that the recent recovery in moviegoing does not lose momentum and the Korean film industry can take another leap forward," an MCST official said.
