Korea Box Office Scandal: Long-standing Open Secret Exposed
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Hollywood Reporter
Allegations of box office fraud have surfaced in the Korean film industry, with major theater chains and distributors accused of colluding to inflate ticket sales for over 300 films in the past five years. The practices, which include "ghost screenings" and bulk-buying promotional tickets, were reportedly an "open secret" in the industry. The major multiplex companies are facing criticism for their market power, while some insiders argue that the current box office system and metrics contribute to the discrepancies. The Korean Film Council is under scrutiny for its oversight, and the industry is calling for greater transparency and a shift to revenue-based counting methods.