A Dispute Over a Cell Phone Inside a Theater Escalates to a Hallway Assault... 40-Year-Old Man Given Probation

Exchanging Insults and Striking Victim with Chair
Daejeon District Court Sentences 10 Months Imprisonment with 2-Year Probation

A man in his 40s who assaulted another person with a chair after a dispute over cellphone use during a movie screening was sentenced to a suspended prison term. On the 28th, Jang Min-ju, a judge at the Daejeon District Court Criminal Division 11, announced that A (40), who was indicted on charges of special injury, was sentenced to 10 months in prison with a 2-year suspension.

Audience members purchasing tickets at a movie theater. This image is unrelated to the article content. [Asia Economy archive photo]

On May 8th last year, around 3:30 p.m., A got into an argument with the victim B (43), who was sitting in a different seat in the same row at a movie theater in Dong-gu, Daejeon. When A tapped B on the shoulder with his hand asking him to "refrain" from using his cellphone during the movie, B responded with profanity, escalating the dispute.

The fight between the two continued into the hallway outside the theater. While exchanging insults, A swung a chair placed in the hallway at B and punched him in the abdomen, causing injuries that required 28 days of medical treatment. Judge Jang stated, "The injury is not minor as the defendant lost his temper momentarily and used violence by swinging a chair," and added, "Considering that the victim has petitioned for strict punishment against the defendant," explaining the sentencing decision.

How to Best Deal with Troublemaking Moviegoers?

The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

As many viewers visit theaters, the number and types of troublesome moviegoers vary. Some place their feet tightly behind the head of the person in front despite having wide and comfortable seats, or repeatedly kick the seat in front without reason. Others arrive late well after the movie has started, disturbing many people while deliberately searching for their seats.

It doesn't stop there. Some suddenly turn on their smartphones during the movie, disturbing others with the light or by sending messages. Couples who enter together sometimes speak loudly or make phone calls during the screening. People who noisily eat popcorn or drink soda, or leave trash behind after the movie, are also considered unpleasant. Excessive displays of affection by couples also draw frowns.

To prevent such disruptive behavior during movie screenings, all theaters in Korea play videos about 'viewing etiquette' before the movie starts to guide viewers on proper conduct, but the effectiveness remains low. Above all, the biggest problem is that even large multiplex theaters in Korea do not have a dedicated system to manage troublesome moviegoers.

A representative from a major multiplex theater in Korea said, "When complaints about troublesome viewers come in, we observe the situation," adding, "We restrain severely intoxicated patrons and refund tickets to those who say they cannot watch the movie. For extremely disruptive viewers, we ask for their understanding, escort them out of the theater, and give warnings."