SEOUL — South Korean theater chain CJ CGV’s 4DX technology broke $10 million in exports over a period of one year, from the second half of 2012 through the first half of 2013, according to the Korea International Trade Association (KITA).
4DX is a brand launched by the local theater giant that offers a multi-sensory movie-going experience through chairs that move and emit scents, wind and water in a climate-controlled room. Total exports since its launch in 2010 currently amount to $40 million, according to CJ.
As of Dec. 3, CJ operates 67 4DX theaters in 17 counties. With 23 additional theaters due to open in five countries throughout December, a total 90 4DX theaters will be sprinkled in 22 countries around the world by the end of the year, according to CJ.
“4DX is the first independent specialty theater brand to launch a sustainable business model and expand into domestic and international markets,” said a spokesperson for CJ CGV.
During the 50th Annual Trade Day ceremony hosted by the KITA on Dec. 5, CJ 4DX’s CEO Choi Byung-hwan accepted two awards — a recognition for reaching $10 million in exports in a given year and a Presidential Commendation for outstanding achievement.
The latter is particularly in line with Korean President Park Geun-hye‘s push for a “creative economy,” namely combining cultural content, IT technology, and other sectors to help create job new business endeavors and job opportunities. Park recently met with DreamWorks‘ Jeffrey Katzenberg to discuss ways for Korea and the U.S. animation giant to collaborate for projects that endorse her economic vision.
Meanwhile, 4DX will be featured in the Creative Korea 2013, a business expo to be held Dec. 12-15 at Coex, Seoul.
