'Odyssey' to leave Yong IMAX... Replaced by non-IMAX Korean film.gisa

‘Odyssey’ to leave Yong IMAX… Replaced by non-IMAX Korean filmn.news.naver.comThe film ‘Odyssey’ will leave the CGV Yongsan IPARK Mall IMAX theater (Yong IMAX) after the 20th. Although the seat occupancy rate remains at 80%, it will make way for the Korean film ‘Paradise Lost’ on the 21st. This is a difficult measure taken in accordance with the screen quota system, which mandates a certain number of screening days for Korean films.
‘Odyssey’ filled its seats to capacity even on this day, its last day of screening at Yong IMAX. Since its release on August 5, it has been screening at Yong IMAX for 77 consecutive days, setting an all-time record. The average seat occupancy rate is over 90%. Known as the only theater in the country where the film's original 1.43:1 aspect ratio can be fully experienced, it has seen a continuous streak of sell-outs. CGV even limited the number of reservations due to issues with scalping.
While demand from audiences wanting to see ‘Odyssey’ in the IMAX theater continues, CGV will replace the Yong IMAX marquee with ‘Paradise Lost’ starting on the 21st. This is interpreted as a consideration of the screen quota system, which requires theaters to fill at least 73 days—one-fifth of the annual screening days—with Korean films.
This year, Korean films have been screened at Yong IMAX for 35 days. To exceed the mandatory 73 screening days, Korean films must be screened for at least 38 more days. So far, only three films—Director Ryoo Seung-wan's highly anticipated Lunar New Year release ‘HUMINT’ (14 days), Director Yeon Sang-ho's tentpole film ‘Colony’ (9 days), and Director Na Hong-jin's film ‘Hope’ (12 days)—have filled just over a month.
With the Marvel film ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and Denis Villeneuve's epic ‘Dune: Part 3’ scheduled for December, there is a practical burden to fill Yong IMAX with Korean films from now on.
Accordingly, arguments are being raised that the screen quota system needs to be applied differently to special theaters. Unlike 1967, when the screen quota system was first introduced, movie theaters have diversified into IMAX, ScreenX, and Dolby Atmos theaters, leading to criticism that the system is failing to keep up with reality. However, counterarguments regarding the ongoing necessity of protecting Korean films remain strong.