October boxoffice up 22.2% year on year

Rise in ticket prices, local product still producing strong sales

By Park Soo-mee

Nov 9, 2009, 10:22 AM ET

SEOUL – October ticket sales jumped by 22.2% compared to the same period last year, despite a shorter Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) weekend, according to the Korean Film Council Monday.
 
The report also said that admissions rose by 7.6%, to 9.29 million, from 8.63 million last year, while sales jumped from 56 billion ($48.5 million) to 68.4 billion won this year.
 
Monthly ticket sales also rose by 13.6% between September and October. Market share of Korean films was 60% or more since August.
 
Owing to two summer blockbusters hits – “Haeundae” and “Take Off” -- a string of mid-budget Korean films including “Closer to Heaven,” “The Sword with No Name” and “Good Morning President” have steadily attracted local ticket buyers.
 
The council cited the rise in ticket prices at major multiplex theaters in June as a major element in the overall rise in sales.
 
Results from the CGV were similar. About 9.41 million admissions were recorded last month, according to the nation's largest multiplex chain. Korean films 62.8% market share, a jump of about 18.7% from the same period a year earlier.

October boxoffice up 22.2% year on year

Rise in ticket prices, local product still producing strong sales

By Park Soo-mee

Nov 9, 2009, 10:22 AM ET