Popcorn Is Back in Korean Cinemas

Popcorn is back in Korea movie theaters now that eating during performances and screenings is allowed again. Many people welcome eased restrictions, but some are startled by how much ticket prices had increased during the coronavirus pandemic.

Multiplex chains CGV, Lotte Cinema and Megabox hiked ticket prices two to three times as audiences stayed home in droves during two years of lockdown.

CGV hiked ticket prices by W1,000 on April 4 the third price hike since the pandemic began (US$1=W1,250). Tickets cost W14,000 on weekdays and W15,000 on weekends, up from W11,000 and W12,000 before the pandemic.

Lotte Cinema and Megabox also raised ticket prices twice during the pandemic to W13,000 on weekdays and W14,000 on weekends.

Theater operators say they had no choice due to snowballing losses during the pandemic. But the move has not been welcomed by moviegoers, many of whom already pay between W10,000 and W15,000 a month for Netflix, Disney Plus, Watcha or other streaming services.