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| ▲ This poster of U.S. animated film "Despicable Me 4" is provided by Universal Pictures. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) has issued a warning regarding the controversial pre-release paid screenings of the Hollywood animated film 'Despicable Me 4,' which is set to officially premiere soon.
According to KOFIC on the 3rd, the Special Committee for Fair Competition Environment (hereafter referred to as the Special Committee) expressed strong regret over the unconventional release of 'Despicable Me 4' in a statement released the previous day. The film, which officially opened on the 24th of last month, held extensive paid screenings across nationwide multiplexes on the weekend of the 20th and 21st.
These paid screenings amounted to a total of 5,090 showings, accounting for 12.1% of all theater showings nationwide during that period. The number of seats allocated for these screenings reached approximately 768,000. The Special Committee pointed out that this act essentially deprived 147 films (on the 20th) and 144 films (on the 21st) of fair screening opportunities and disrupted the orderly market competition.
While large-scale paid screenings before official release have previously sparked debates over unconventional releases, the scale of 'Despicable Me 4' was unprecedented, according to the Special Committee. Despite the large scale, the screenings did not attract a significant audience, with only about 103,000 viewers, filling just 13.5% of the allocated seats.
The Special Committee criticized this move as damaging the fair order of the film screening market and undermining the foundation of agreements and standard contracts established to ensure fair operations within the Korean film market. These agreements include the 2012 Korean Film Co-Growth Implementation Agreement and the 2014 Fair Environment Creation Agreement for Film Screening and Distribution Markets, which ensure that all films are given a fair chance to screen for at least one week post-release.
Although KOFIC issued a warning, it lacks substantial means to impose sanctions. The Special Committee's statement, while expressing regret, only urged against recurrence of similar incidents.
A film industry insider commented, "At this point, it is difficult to expect strong measures from KOFIC. There are even suggestions to file a complaint with the Fair Trade Commission."
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