Moviegoers in Korea can book tickets at a discount of 6,000 won at major theaters starting today. Members of CGV, Lotte Cinema, Megabox and Cine Q are advised to check their coupon inboxes first.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Film Council will begin distributing 2.25 million movie discount coupons sequentially from 10 a.m. on Thursday. The program was funded through the 2026 supplementary budget to ease the public's movie-going cost burden and revitalize the struggling theater industry.
The total volume of discount coupons amounts to 4.5 million. Half of them, or 2.25 million, will be distributed in the first round, with the remaining 2.25 million scheduled for additional distribution in July, the summer peak season.
The coupons can be used on the websites and mobile apps of the four major multiplex chains — CGV, Lotte Cinema, Megabox and Cine Q. Online members of each theater will automatically receive two coupons per person from each chain. Selecting the coupon at the online booking stage gives a 6,000 won discount per ticket.
Discounts will end once each theater's allocation runs out, and unused coupons in members' inboxes will automatically expire. Those with viewing plans are advised to book in advance.
The benefit is not limited to existing members. As long as each theater still has coupons available, new members who sign up on the day can also receive them. The method of issuance to new members varies by theater policy.
Anyone who can sign up for the theater's app or website — regardless of nationality, age or adult status — is eligible. Two coupons can also be issued to accounts registered under children's names, so families are advised to check each member's account in advance.
However, the benefit ends once each theater's allocated supply is exhausted. Unused coupons also disappear automatically.
The movie discount coupons can be combined with other discount benefits.
They can be used alongside "Culture Day" discounts, discounts for people with disabilities and seniors, youth discounts and early-morning screening discounts. In particular, on "Culture Day" — held on the second and last Wednesday of each month — movie ticket prices at CGV, Lotte Cinema and Megabox are lowered to around 10,000 won. Applying the 6,000 won discount coupon on top brings the ticket price down to 4,000 won.
Credit card billing discounts can also be applied together if conditions are met. However, the coupons cannot be used in combination with telecom carrier discounts.
If the actual payment amount after the discount falls below 1,000 won, customers must pay a minimum of 1,000 won.
Independent Theaters to Join, Second Round in July
Independent and art-house theaters, small community theaters and senior-oriented theaters will also participate in the program. Most will provide the discount online, but some theaters that cannot issue coupons online due to their computing environment will distribute them on-site on a first-come, first-served basis.
The list of participating theaters can be found on the Korean Film Council's website starting Thursday.
Support has also been arranged for the elderly and information-vulnerable groups unfamiliar with digital booking. People with disabilities and senior citizens can receive the discount on-site, limited to themselves. A dedicated call center guiding booking methods will also be operated.
The second round of 2.25 million discount coupons will be distributed in July. Those who used first-round coupons will also be eligible for the second round. Detailed schedules will be announced later.
