Choi Min-sik on "Ticket Prices Are Expensive"... KAIST Professor Says "Ignorant, Have You Ever Donated Your Appearance Fee to Theaters?"

Choi Min-sik "Lower Ticket Prices... Even I Won't Go" Candid Statement
KAIST Professor "This Is Not Charity... Build a Theater" Counterargument
Conflicting Opinions on Movie Ticket Price Increase

Actor Choi Min-sik. Photo by Asia Economy

Professor Byungtae Lee of KAIST rebutted actor Choi Min-sik, who criticized the increase in movie ticket prices.

On the 20th, Professor Lee posted on his social media, "What kind of principled statement is it to demand ticket prices be lowered?" He added, "If prices go down and more audiences come, increasing profits, companies will lower prices even if they are told not to." He continued, "During the pandemic, movie theaters faced the risk of bankruptcy, but did actor Choi Min-sik donate his appearance fees to theaters?" and questioned, "Do movie theater businesses operate by digging the ground? Or do you think it is a charitable business?"

Professor Lee also said, "If market prices could be set according to consumer wishes, there would be no businesses or economy in the world," and "Then, the profession of actor would not exist either." He added, "Instead of demanding this from the directors of other companies with shareholders, why don’t you build a theater yourself and run a cheap business?" He concluded, "Calling anything a principled statement is just ignorant talk. The cheapest words in the world are claims to be generous with other people's money."

Earlier, on the 17th, Choi Min-sik appeared on MBC's 'Son Seok-hee's Questions' and shared his views on the film industry situation. He said, "Movie theater prices have increased a lot," and criticized the ticket price hike, saying, "Lower them a bit. Even I won’t go otherwise."

He also said, "I understand emotionally because we barely survived COVID-19," but added, "However, people will judge that watching OTT with that money is better," expressing his opinion.