[Lifehacks] Korean theaters offer a new kind of moviegoing experience

CGV, Megabox and Lotte Cinema are the three big multiplex brands easily found in Seoul and other major cities across Korea. CGV is the largest with 190 theaters across the country, Lotte Cinema follows with 143, and Megabox has 103.

CGV, Megabox and Lotte Cinema are the three big multiplex brands easily found in Seoul and other major cities across Korea. Above is a screen offered by Lotte Cinema. [LOTTE CINEMA]

While theatergoing is not as popular now as it was before the pandemic, there are still quite a few people who make their way to local theaters to watch movies in all their glory, on a huge screen with impressive surround sound.

CGV, Megabox and Lotte Cinema are the three big multiplex brands easily found in Seoul and other major cities across Korea. CGV is the largest with 190 theaters across the country, Lotte Cinema follows with 143, and Megabox has the fewest number of screens with 103.

While most basic screenings are widely available for about 14,000 won ($12) a ticket, each company also operates special theaters for anyone who wants to add something extra to their viewing experience for an additional cost. Movie tickets for peak times, such as on the weekends, tend to be more expensive than watching the first showing on a weekday.

Most premium CGV theaters are at the Wangshimni and Yongsan I'Park Mall branches in central Seoul. Lotte Cinema has most of its premium options at its World Tower branch in southern Seoul, and Megabox offers premium options its Coex branch, also in southern Seoul.

Going extra private All three theater chains offer a chance to rent out the entire room exclusively for you and your party.

The seating area of local multiplex Megabox's The Boutique Private, the rental only theater, at Coex in southern Seoul. [MEGABOX]

For ultimate privacy, Megabox runs The Boutique Private with eight seats total, available for rent only. The viewing time and movie, with all currently showing movies available as options, can be chosen by the renter. It also comes with a separate lounge just for users of that theater, complete with snacks and drinks for before the movie starts. Under the current social distancing measures enforced by the government, food and alcoholic beverages are only allowed in the lounge area. Only non-alcoholic drinks can be taken inside the theater.

Some snacks and drinks are available at Megabox's The Boutique Private. [MEGABOX]

The Boutique Private is only available at the multiplex’s Coex branch in Gangnam District, southern Seoul. Despite the hefty price of 400,000 won to rent the theater for three hours, weekend slots are usually sold out weeks in advance. The option to add food and drinks starts from 100,000 won. The three hour rental time includes the running time of the movie.

CGV offers its The Private Cinema, which is available to rent at its CGV Cheongdam Cinecity in Gangnam District. This is a larger theater space which can host up to 50 at a time for a seated event, and up to 100 for a standing party. While many gathering as a family or small group of friends often opt for Megabox's The Boutique Private, CGV’s offering is much popular among businesses. Many companies rent the place for VIP events, media conferences, fashion shows or exhibitions. It is 4 million won to rent the space for four hours and 8 million won to rent it for eight hours. Food and beverage services are included but costs are subject to change depending on what is prepared.

CGV's The Private Cinema [CGV]

Lotte Cinema offers its Charlotte Private at Lotte World Tower with eight seats. The entire space is technically available to rent out for a movie if you buy all eight tickets, but individual tickets may also be purchased. You can also call in advance to choose the time and movie you want to watch. A single ticket is 37,500 won per person, and buying all eight is 300,000 won.

Lotte Cinema's Charlotte Private at Lotte World Tower [LOTTE CINEMA]

Sound and effects

Moviegoers keen on high quality sound usually opt for Megabox's Dolby Cinema. The multiplex theater joined hands with the American sound and visual company Dolby to open a theater equipped with the technology for the first time in Korea in 2020. These particular screenings have been popular among those who come to watch blockbuster films or who prioritize quality sound.

The entrance of Dolby Cinema operated by local multiplex Megabox [MEGABOX]

Megabox also sometimes reruns older films to offer an even better experience with their enhanced audio and video system. Tickets to watch movies at Dolby Cinema are usually at most 18,000 won. Currently there are four Dolby Cinema locations: Hyundai Premium Outlet Space One in Namyangju, Gyeonggi; Daejeon Shinsegae Art and Science in Daejeon; Starfield Anseong in Anseong, Gyeonggi; and Coex.

IMAX theater at CGV's Yongsan I'Park Mall branch [CGV]

CGV offers IMAX theaters by Canadian company IMAX. Since IMAX screens are usually wider, the audience may feel as if they are immersed in the film. IMAX is available at the multiplex’s Wangshimni, Yongsan I-Park Mall and Cheonho branches. It is 25,000 won or less.

Lotte Cinema offers 4D options for those looking for a multisensory experience. [LOTTE CINEMA]

Anyone who wants a more dynamic movie-watching experience should consider the 4D options by CGV and Lotte Cinema. CGV’s 4DX and Lotte Cinema’s 4D Super theaters give off wind, fog and smells while its seats tilt and vibrate to match what you would expect to smell or feel if you were in the movie, for the ultimate multisensory experience. Lotte Cinema’s 4D Super costs up to 18,000 won depending on the date and time choose, and CGV’s 4DX costs up to 23,000 won.

Working with brands

CGV's Tempur Cinema at its Yeouido branch [CGV]

CGV collaborates with many different electronics and furniture brands to provide unique movie-watching experiences. Some theaters are equipped with a Tempur mattress for anyone who wants to watch the big screen while reclining on a cushy mattress, available for 45,000 won at five different branches in Seoul, Busan and Gyeonggi. It also works with Nouhaus, a recliner chair brand, as well as Samsung Electronics, to furnish its special room within an ordinary theater called Skybox at Yongsan I'Park Mall.

CGV's Skybox theater at Yongsan I'Park Mall branch [CGV]

Similar to a VIP box at a sports stadium, the audience inside the room watches the same screen as the rest of the audience in a normal, large theater. Inside the Skybox, items from the brand Bespoke by Samsung, such as its AirDresser and ShoeDresser, as well as things like air purifiers, are set so that customers can refresh their outerwear while they watch the movie. The room available for up to four people costs 200,000 won for one movie. Families with young children often use the room so that the parents don’t have to worry about the young audience making noises and disturbing others during the movie.

Lotte's Cine Family [LOTTE CINEMA]

Lotte joined hands with LG Electronics to create a room called Cine Family, similar to CGV’s Skybox. LG’s clothing refresher Styler and an air purifier are set up alongside a sofa that sits up to six people. This is available only at the multiplex’s World Tower branch, and costs 35,000 won.

Megabox, though it does offer reclining seats in its premium theaters, doesn't currently work with any particular furniture brand. Overcoming (language) barriers Out of three, CGV is the only multiplex that offers English language services when booking tickets online. For Lotte Cinema and Megabox, it may be best to go directly to the desired theater location for the best English services, as their websites and mobile applications are not yet available in English. Calling the branch for assistance in English may be another option, but it will of course depend on whether or not the receiver speaks English.

While movies originally made in English shouldn't be a problem, you may need a subtitle for Korean movies. However, none of the three multiplexes offer subtitles at all times, except for the rare case in which a certain movie receives international stardom and the movie distributer provides English subtitles. For instance, when the movie “Minari” (2020) and “Parasite” (2019) became the talk of the town across the globe, some theaters went ahead to offer the movie with English subtitles.

For more services available at CGV, go to www.cgv.co.kr or call 1544-1122; for Megabox, visit www.megabox.co.kr or call 1544-0070; and for Lotte Cinea, go to www.lottecinema.co.kr or call 1544-8855.

Student life can be tough. Balancing academic study with growing responsibilities and an all-important social life can be difficult at the best of times, but add another country with a new language and culture into the mix and things can start to get complicated.

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BY SUMMER LEE [summerlee@joongang.co.kr]