Korean Film Council Supports 3 Korean Films Released in April

"Industry Decline Due to Audience Decrease... Subsidy Payments"

The three multiplex companies CJ CGV, Lotte Cultureworks, and Megabox Joongang have joined forces to support Korean films.

The Korea Film Council announced on the 15th that it will support three Korean films releasing in April to revitalize the Korean film industry. An official explained, "We will provide 1,000 won per viewer to the distributors of each supported release."

[Photo by Yonhap News]

The council stated, "April is traditionally an off-season for theaters, and since the Lunar New Year holiday until recently, Korean films have not performed well, causing many distributors to hesitate about releasing their works."

They added, "With no significant releases, the number of viewers is decreasing, leading to a repeated vicious cycle in the Korean film industry," and "To revitalize the stagnant industry, the three multiplex companies have decided to provide release support funds to distributors."

They also urged, "Government-level support for Korean films and cinemas is urgently needed for the development and sustainable growth of the Korean film industry."

The Korea Film Council is a non-profit organization founded in October 2022, with the three major domestic multiplex operators CJ CGV, Lotte Cultureworks, and Megabox Joongang participating as members.

The supported films releasing in April are 'Rebound' (director Jang Hang-jun), 'Killing Romance' (director Lee Won-seok) on the 14th, and 'Dream' (director Lee Byung-hun) on the 26th.

'Rebound,' releasing on May 5, is a film adapted from the true story of the Busan Joongang High School basketball team in 2012, depicting the story of a newly appointed coach and six members of a weak high school basketball team participating in a tournament. Actors Ahn Jae-hong and Jung Jin-woon star, with writer Kim Eun-hee contributing to the screenplay.

'Killing Romance' tells the story of an actress who disappears after giving up everything and makes a big decision to reclaim her lost life. Actors Lee Sun-kyun, Ha Ji-won, and Gong Myung appear. It will be released on April 14.

'Dream,' releasing on April 26, is the new work by director Lee Byung-hun, who directed the 10-million viewer film 'Extreme Job' (2019). It tells the story of a former soccer player and a PD who challenge an impossible dream with a ragtag team of homeless players. Actors Park Seo-joon and IU (Lee Ji-eun) star in the film.