“Watch a Movie for 10,000 Won”… CGV and Megabox Expand Discounts to Twice a Month

‘Movie Theater Discount’ Completely overhauled twice a month… ‘Culture Day’ evolves

The three major South Korean multiplex operators, following the expanded rollout of ‘Culture Day’, will completely revamp the ‘Movie Theater Discount’ benefits so they can be used twice a month. Under an agreement between the ‘Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’ and the industry, starting in May, admission fees will be lowered for adults to 10,000 won and for teenagers to 8,000 won from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the second and last Wednesday of each month. Initially, there were concerns about the private sector’s burden increasing due to the expansion to every Wednesday, but through close compromise between the government and the industry, a practical middle ground—twice a month—was reached. This is a reasonable decision that safeguards the public’s right to enjoy culture while minimizing the industry’s burden.

A bold move by Minister Choi Hwi-young… Guitars set the scene at Seoul Station

At a commemorative event held at Seoul Station on the 1st, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism minister Choi Hwi-young took the stage dressed in a leather jacket and played an electric guitar in a striking, unconventional appearance. Having been active in a band since 2011, he connected with the public by directly performing the KTX notification sound ‘Happiness’. The minister’s actions—shedding authoritarianism and seeking direct communication with citizens—sent a strong message to spread ‘Culture Day’ to the public.

All hands on deck from local governments and arts institutions… ‘Wednesdays are Culture Days’ spreads nationwide

For the expanded implementation of ‘Culture Day’, local governments and national arts institutions across the country will participate in a big way. Programs linked to local cultural foundations and tailored content for the National Museum of Korea will be significantly expanded. In addition, the government will hold a ‘Culture Day Certification Event’ through its official Instagram. It is actively encouraging nationwide participation by offering benefits through participant lottery drawings and launching a video contest with a total prize pool of 12 million won, running through the 14th of this month.

Expanding the right to enjoy culture in everyday life… Arts and culture scene to expect ‘New Vitality’

The traditional music performance of ‘Wednesdays Arirang’, held right after the concert featuring about 50 artists, was a symbolic stage expressing hopes that the system would take root successfully. Choi Hwi-young, the minister, strongly suggested that, “In difficult times, people should keep a steady mind through culture in everyday life,” and forcefully signaled that this overhaul will serve as a stepping stone to improving the quality of life for the public and boosting vitality in the arts and culture sector. This policy expansion is expected to be a major turning point that raises the country’s cultural competitiveness by another level.