This file photo taken on Dec. 7, 2020, shows a mostly empty Seoul theater. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — An increasing number of movie theaters in South Korea are being transformed into places where a variety of leisure activities ranging from games to travel can be enjoyed.
The nation’s film industry is exploring various ways to survive as the number of moviegoers has declined sharply due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After launching a program in which theaters are rented out to gamers so they can play games on large theater screens, South Korea’s multiplex chain GGV is also planning to launch special screenings of overseas travel videos at its theaters.
While watching the travel videos, viewers will be able to hear interesting explanations by local guides and communicate with them through messengers in real time.
Last month, CGV launched its screen rental service, drawing positive responses from gamers. The new service is specifically targeting gamers, who have to bring their own consoles and games.
Another multiplex operator Megabox has also been renting its screens to gamers at some of its theaters in Gyeonggi Province since the beginning of this year.
South Korean movie theaters are being transformed in a more diverse manner, with some theaters providing live recordings of musicals and classical music performances.
On Wednesday, CGV screened the musical “Lost Face 1895″ made by the Seoul Performing Arts Company at its 56 cinemas across the country.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
