[Report] Why Jeju Shinhwa World Opened a Premium Cinema

36 Seats in Hall 2... Recliner Chairs and Dining While Watching Movies
A Multipurpose Cultural Space Evolving with Trends to Offer Entertainment
"Satisfying Both Tourists and Locals"

Jeju Seogwipo-si Andeok-myeon Jeju Shinhwa World. Following the lobby of the Marriott Resort Hall located at the entrance of the 2.5 million㎡ site, a movie theater lounge appears along with monitors displaying currently screening films. Passing through the entrance of the screening room decorated with a photo wall, two premium screening rooms with 18 seats each face each other. Opened on the 3rd, this is the 'JSW Cine Lounge.'

At Jeju Shinhwa World 'JSW Cine Lounge,' audience members are watching a promotional video before the movie screening.
[Photo by Yuri Kim].

JSW Cine Lounge is Jeju Shinhwa World’s first premium cinema in Jeju Island, introduced in collaboration with Monoplex. It is also the first premium cinema within the integrated resort. Especially in Seogwipo-si, there is only one general cinema, Lotte Cinema near Jeju World Cup Stadium, so the news of the cinema opening within Jeju Shinhwa World has already spread by word of mouth not only among tourists but also among local residents near Jeju English Education City. According to Jeju Shinhwa World, as of 9 a.m. on the 3rd, the reservation rate for the first four days including the weekend exceeded 90%.

JSW Cine Lounge fully utilizes its characteristics as a premium cinema and a cinema within an integrated resort. All seats in the two screening rooms are recliners. Each viewer can recline the chair as much as they want for comfortable viewing. To enhance movie immersion, it is also equipped with a sound system from the premium audio brand 'Harman.'

While watching movies, guests can also enjoy dishes crafted by hotel chefs. Jeju Shinhwa World offers not only a basic movie package that bundles movie viewing with popcorn and drinks but also a dining package where viewers can eat sushi sets or panini sets during the screening. The basic package costs 28,000 KRW, and the sushi package costs 48,000 KRW, which Jeju Shinhwa World explains is reasonable compared to prices at general multiplex cinemas.

Jeju Shinhwa World Marriott Resort Foreigners-Only Casino
Photo by Yuri Kim.

While existing premium cinemas mainly used a method where customers dine before entering, JSW Cine Lounge allows customers to receive their reserved meals in a lunchbox form at the cinema lounge and enter the screening room to eat. To accommodate this, generously sized tables are placed in front of the recliner seats. Simple snacks such as hot dogs, pretzels, and nachos can also be purchased separately on-site. Pi Young-jun, Senior Executive Director of New Business & Partnerships at Jeju Shinhwa World, said, "We considered convenient dining menus that would minimally interfere with the movie experience, such as sound disturbances," and added, "We will also develop menus with fun elements, such as packages that allow customers to enjoy meals similar to those appearing in movies." Jeju Shinhwa World expects JSW Cine Lounge to be used for various purposes such as family rentals, proposal events, academic society small meetings, and conferences requiring presentations.

Jeju Shinhwa World created a premium cinema within the resort to establish itself as a complex cultural space rich in various genres of entertainment beyond just accommodation for travelers. Officially opened in March 2018, Jeju Shinhwa World has over 2,000 rooms across Marriott Resort Hall, Shinhwa Resort Hall, Landing Resort Hall, and Somerset Jeju Shinhwa World. Inside, it features a foreigner-only casino, Shinhwa Theme Park with amusement rides, Jeju’s largest Shinhwa Water Park, shopping facilities including Shinsegae Simon Jeju Premium Outlets, more than 40 food and beverage (F&B) outlets, kids’ programs called 'Shinhwa Activity,' various gardens and walking trails, rock bowling alleys, arcades, and coin karaoke rooms. Jeju Shinhwa World stated, "We will continue to expand cultural and leisure facilities to become a community platform that satisfies not only travelers but also the cultural needs of local residents."