Inside the top 3 Korean cinemas offering film-goers a luxury red-carpet experience
There was a time when audiences watched movies in cinemas full of narrow, uncomfortable seats in tight rows, with thin plastic armrests.
In South Korea – one of the world’s largest film markets with annual ticket sales of 200 million – cinemas are starting to provide premium services for high-end viewers who yearn for an exclusive experience at the movies.
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Three major multiplex brands – Lotte Cinema, CJ CGV and Megabox – have been developing special cinemas and have maintained dedicated premium seats and services for film-goers to indulge.
Deluxe sofa seating offered with concierge service
Lotte Cinema’s premium theatre Charlotte at Lotte World Tower in Jamsil, Seoul, provides the full service that takes the movie experience to the next level.
Near the regular ticket booth, an oval entrance opens up to an exclusive lounge for customers.
The lounge, with decorative lighting fixtures, has its own ticket booth and bar which serves snacks and drinks, including wine. Customers can also order complimentary drinks at the station to enjoy at the lounge before the movie, or have it served to them inside.
Only available in 10 Lotte Cinema theatres in Korea, including four venues in Seoul, this theatre also has oversized reclining armchairs.
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In a room that usually accommodates about 120 seats, there are only about 30 soft-leather chairs. The buttons on the armrests allow customers to lean back and put their feet up.
Only couple seats are available – each section has high sides to isolate each double seat, giving a sense of privacy.
The concierge service is available at the touch of a button – one for every seat,and the wait staff is always on standby.
Tickets for this luxurious experience come at a price – costing 45,000 won ($37) per person – and they can only be bought in pairs.
Fine-dining to bedroom-like theatre
The cinema experience at CJ CGV includes a Cine de Chef package, which offers gourmet cuisine prepared by chefs. After the first one launched in Apgujeong in 2007, two more opened in Centum City Busan (2009) and Yongsan (2017).
This gourmet kitchen offers French and Italian cuisine, plus a cafe and bakery items. The dessert menu matches the pastries from popular movies, such Mendi’s choux cake from the Wes Anderson film The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Black-and-white patterned marble surfaces and warm yellow lighting fill Cine de Chef Yongsan and set the mood for the high-end dining experience. It also has its own entrance and two lifts within the restaurant to take customers up to the premium theatres.
A private lobby used as a lounge and bar is right in front of the lift. Customers can pick up their complimentary drink before being escorted to their seats to Tempur Cinema.
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Launched in 2015, the cinema is the first theatre with reclining beds – CGV’s collaboration with world-class mattress brand Tempur.
This cosy cinema offers a full service and a whole amenity package including blankets and hangers, as well as cellphone chargers on the bedstand.
À la carte courses range from 65,000 won (US$53) to 85,000 won (US$70), while individual main dish, brunch, and beverage menus are also available. One can choose to use either of the services – a seat for Tempura Cinema costs 90,000 won (US$74) for two – or purchase one of a variety of dining and movie packages.
Private cinema room within large theatre
For people who want to make themselves at home, this space has brought a whole living room and placed it in the back wall of the cinema.
From the family couch and mini-cooler to the coffee machine, the place provides the services and amenities to make customers feel as if they are at home.
The welcome package including slippers and blankets adds to the cosiness of this place. An air conditioner is placed in each room along with a volume controller on the wall.
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Megabox Balcony utilises the space above and behind the seat-filled theatre, giving a wider view of the screen in a VIP room. Only three Megabox venues hold Balcony spaces – Hanam, Bundang and Songdo.
The balcony at Megabox Songdo is located in a full-sound MX theatre on a level above the regular seats, providing an exclusive space. Inspired by the balcony seats found in opera houses, this box offers complete privacy plus a full view of the screen.
The room is soundproof, so customers can have private conversations – or even make noise – without having to worry about disturbing others during the movie.
Prices range from 80,000 won (US$65) to 100,000 won (US$82) for a group of up to four.
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- Private viewing rooms, concierge service and amenities like plush slippers and blankets – cinema groups like Lotte Cinema, CJ CGV and Megabox are delivering the goods to viewers looking for an ultra-luxe outing