CGV Switches to 'One Seat Apart on Left and Right' Seating System

Two-Seat Yeonseok Reservations Available "Wider Choice for Viewers"
'Smart Pass' System Introduced at 115 Directly Managed Stores

CGV is switching to a ‘one seat gap left and right’ system that allows booking two adjacent seats.

On the 29th, CGV announced that starting next month, it will apply the ‘one seat gap left and right’ system nationwide at all locations instead of the ‘one seat gap front and back’ system. This change reflects the ‘zigzag one seat gap’ proposal made by the Korean Film Council’s Film Industry Safety Management Committee on the 13th, enabling the booking of two adjacent seats. It provides opportunities for families, couples, and friends to watch movies together while maintaining distance from others.

An official stated, “There have been many requests to maintain sufficient left and right spacing,” and added, “This measure broadens the choices available to viewers.” They also said, “Viewers who wish to watch movies alone can use seats with gaps left and right as well as front and back.” Regarding seats with reduced front and back spacing, they explained, “Since masks must be worn while watching the movie, the risk of issues arising is low.”

To thoroughly check viewers’ temperatures and mask-wearing status, CGV introduced ‘Smart Pass’ at 115 directly managed locations nationwide on the same day. This system automatically recognizes faces wearing masks and measures body temperature with a thermal camera to determine entry eligibility. If a message saying ‘Please wear a mask’ appears, viewers must properly wear their masks and go through the verification process again. If the temperature is 37.5 degrees Celsius or higher, measurement must be repeated. Entry is restricted if the temperature still exceeds the standard.

An official said, “We will continue to strengthen ventilation through the already operating air conditioning system, frequent disinfection, provision of hand sanitizers, application of antibacterial films, and guidance on infection prevention rules in daily life to create a safe viewing environment.”