The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Film Council will distribute 2.25 million movie discount coupons worth 6,000 won each starting at 10 a.m. on the 13th. The measure aims to boost moviegoing, which has contracted since the pandemic.
The coupons can be used on the websites and apps of the four major multiplex chains — CGV, Lotte Cinema, Megabox and CineQ. Two coupons per person will be automatically issued to online members' coupon boxes. Unused coupons will expire once the quantity allocated to each theater runs out.
The coupons can also be used at independent and art house theaters, as well as small cinemas. Some theaters without website systems will distribute them on a first-come, first-served basis on site. The list of participating theaters can be found on the Korean Film Council website.
The discount coupons can be combined with other benefits. When used together with the "Culture Day" benefit (10,000 won for adults), which runs on the second and last Wednesdays of each month, movie admission fees drop to as low as 4,000 won.
The coupons can also be combined with discounts for the disabled, seniors, youth and early morning showings. However, if the amount after discount falls below 1,000 won, it will be adjusted to 1,000 won, and telecommunications provider discounts cannot be used in conjunction.
The discount is funded by the government's 26 trillion won "war supplementary budget," which was drawn up to support people affected by the Middle East war. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism secured 27.1 billion won in budget for a total of 4.5 million coupons. The remaining 2.25 million coupons are scheduled to be distributed in July.
The ministry plans to operate a dedicated help desk to provide detailed guidance on booking procedures.
