The 31-minute film, “How to Open a Door” will be screened for 3,000 won, marking another entry in the emerging “snack movie” genre. (Image courtesy of Gilstory ENT)
SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Korea Bizwire) – A new short film starring Kim Nam-gil, co-produced with KB Kookmin Bank, is set to premiere exclusively at Lotte Cinema on November 20, joining a growing trend of abbreviated theatrical releases in South Korea known as “snack movies.”
The 31-minute film, “How to Open a Door” will be screened for 3,000 won, marking another entry in the emerging “snack movie” genre – shorter, lower-priced films meant to be consumed as easily as a snack.
The term “snack movie” was popularized in June when actor Son Suk-ku released “Night Fishing,” a 13-minute film that screened for just 1,000 won. Since then, the format has gained traction as theaters seek new ways to attract audiences during an industry downturn.
Last month, CGV theaters screened an 8-minute animated film titled “No Home – The Beginning” for 1,000 won. On November 1, Lotte Cinema released a 44-minute horror film, “4 Minutes 44 Seconds,” priced at 4,000 won. The horror film has already drawn over 40,000 viewers in its first ten days of release.
Industry observers expect the trend to continue, seeing it as a potential catalyst for bringing audiences back to theaters. “Films that require minimal time and financial commitment could help bridge the gap between audiences and theaters,” said an industry insider. “The format also aligns well with the current preference for short-form content.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
