Admission Fee 3,000 Won! Revealing Viewing Points for ‘30 Reasons You Can’t Stop Watching Movies’!

CJ ENM and the Korean National University of Arts’ Film School celebrate their 30th anniversary with a collaborative project, currently featuring the most notable directors in the Korean film industry presenting a special omnibus snack movie 〈30 Reasons You Can’t Stop Watching Movies〉, which has revealed its viewing points and stills from each work with the release of Act 1 ‘Preheat’.

〈30 Reasons You Can’t Stop Watching Movies〉 is an omnibus snack movie woven together with 30 interesting stories presented by 30 notable directors responsible for the past, present, and future of Korean cinema, each showcasing their work in 3 minutes. Among them, the ten works of Act 1 ‘Preheat’ are being presented to audiences today for the first time. The bright and fast tempo, witty comedy, and lively energy awaken the audience's senses. Additionally, cinematic playfulness and ideas shine through, making this section light yet profound, allowing viewers to feel the charm of the ‘3-minute format’ most vividly amidst laughter.

# Viewing Point 1. Unique Works by Notable Directors

Act 1 ‘Preheat’ of 〈30 Reasons You Can’t Stop Watching Movies〉 includes works from directors who are currently receiving hot attention in the Korean film industry. Each work presented by directors with different personalities contains fresh stories that have never been seen before.

First, director Kim Do-young, who has gained attention with the relatable romance 〈What If〉, introduces 〈Signs of Falling〉, capturing the moment where reality and fantasy twist in the fear that his movie might collapse, marking the beginning of Act 1. Director Jung Ga-young, known for her audacious works like 〈Beach on the Beach〉, 〈Night Thief〉, 〈Heart〉, and 〈Romance Without Love〉, raises curiosity about what fresh and new story she will unfold in 〈30 Reasons You Can’t Stop Watching Movies〉. Director Lee Jong-pil, who directed 〈The English Class of Samjin Group〉 and 〈Escape〉, presents 〈Pheasant〉, a work that heightens tension within the 3-minute limit through the urgent situation and dialogue between two people meeting 30 meters in front of a restroom. Director Oh Se-yeon, known for 〈Sung Deok〉, presents 〈One Day, the Movie Died〉, which tells the story of a funeral for a movie that suddenly died, where friends discover a video message left by the film. Director Kim Tae-yeob, who received hot love for 〈Jumping with Seonjae〉, presents 〈The Man Who Reincarnated 30 Times〉, which cleverly reflects on creation and the medium of film through an interview with a man who claims to have reincarnated 30 times.

Director Lee Ga-hee’s 〈I Have Something to Do〉 depicts the misunderstandings that pile up between Bok-hee, who wants to clarify an ambiguous relationship, and Wan-yong, who has unspoken circumstances, gradually entangling their relationship. 〈The History of Confession〉 directed by Namgung Seon presents 〈Before We Die〉, where a film director, a cinematographer, and a demolition engineer engage in an exciting conversation discussing the usefulness of their respective jobs. Director Hwang Seul-ki portrays the excitement felt when feelings are conveyed to a loved one through 〈Okay!〉. Director Lim Seon-ae, who has presented a variety of works including 〈69 Years Old〉, 〈Love at the End of the Century〉, and 〈Breakfast Meeting for the Heartbroken〉, presents 〈It’s Gum〉, which captures the hopes of a director, Hye-jin, who has broken up with her boyfriend, and the actress playing the bride as they share their grievances and comfort each other. Director Yoon Ga-eun, known for works like 〈Crossing Emotions〉, 〈Our House〉, and 〈The Master of the World〉, presents 〈Emotions Intersect〉, where the actor experiences a day filled with intersecting emotions while performing a line from the script that says ‘emotions intersect’.

Thus, 〈30 Reasons You Can’t Stop Watching Movies〉 brings together works from directors with different personalities and styles, presenting various creative ideas on why audiences can’t stop watching movies.

# Viewing Point 2. Vivid Performances by Charming Actors

In Act 1 ‘Preheat’ of 〈30 Reasons You Can’t Stop Watching Movies〉, not only familiar and friendly faces of actors but also charming new actors make their appearances.

Actress Jung Yu-mi, who is loved for her wide acting spectrum, leaves a strong impression in 〈Signs of Falling〉, reuniting with director Kim Do-young after 〈Kim Ji-young, Born 1982〉, within the short limit of 3 minutes. Shin Eun-soo from 〈The History of Confession〉 and Choi Seung-eun from 〈Start〉 〈Ten Months in the Future〉 showcase a cynical and unique charm in 〈Before We Die〉. In 〈It’s Gum〉, actors Ki Joo-bong and Jeon Hye-jin immerse the audience with just their expressions and dialogue, while Kim Su-an from 〈Emotions Intersect〉 reunites with director Yoon Ga-eun after the short film 〈Bean Sprout〉, filling the screen with a fresh presence. Additionally, actress Jang Seon, who won the Best Actress Award at the Korean Film Critics Association for 〈Hong Yi〉, and actor Kwon Da-ham, who has made a mark in works like 〈Sculpture City〉, 〈Bad Fate〉, and 〈Breakage〉, can also be found.

Moreover, all actors appearing in 〈30 Reasons You Can’t Stop Watching Movies〉 deliver fresh performances with unique concepts. Along with the fun of spotting familiar faces, audiences can also enjoy discovering new faces in the Korean film industry.

Today, January 14th, marks the release of Act 1 ‘Preheat’ of the omnibus snack movie 〈30 Reasons You Can’t Stop Watching Movies〉, where the most notable directors present the most interesting 3 minutes. Each act will be released sequentially every Wednesday, and from February 4th, a compilation of all 30 films will be screened for 5 days. The admission fee for one film composed of 10 short films is set at 3,000 won, making it accessible for everyone, while the compilation will be released exclusively at CGV for 8,000 won.