Hankook Ilbo reported on August 21 that professor Lee Byung Tae's public criticism of actor Choi Min Sik is attracting attention in Korea.
Accordingly, when appearing on the program "Sohn Suk Hee's Questions" (roughly translated: Sohn Suk Hee's Questions) broadcast on August 17 on MBC, the actor expressed his opinion on the issue of increased movie ticket prices. High.
"Haven't ticket prices increased a lot? They need to come down. With the current ticket price being 15,000 won (11.3 USD/280 thousand VND), why would people go to the theater when they can stay home and watch a lot of movies on streaming services?" - said the male actor .
According to him, expensive ticket prices are one of the factors contributing to the current crisis in the film industry.
However, Professor Lee gave a completely opposite opinion, saying: "Cinemas are private enterprises, not powerful groups, so calling for price reductions is hardly a valid stance." principle".
At the same time, Lee Byung Tae invoked market logic, arguing that if discounts could attract more viewers and increase profits, companies would do so without being asked.
"If consumers could determine market prices, there would be no business or economy and therefore no acting profession. During the pandemic, when movie theaters were on the brink of bankruptcy, Will Choi Min Sik ever donate his earnings to help movie theaters?".
According to Professor Lee, the recent increase in ticket prices is due to inevitable factors such as inflation. "Loan interest rates have increased, leading to higher rents. The increase in minimum wage has increased the cost of even cinema cleaning staff. Then there are film rights costs."
Lee Byung Tae added that movie theaters do not make money mainly from ticket sales but from selling products such as popcorn and drinks - which are more profitable.
However, Hankook Ilbo said, a part of the public expressed support for Choi Min Sik's views. For example, in June, the organization People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy filed a complaint with the Korean Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) suspecting price manipulation among three major cinema chains, including CGV .
They believe that too high ticket prices not only burden moviegoers but also threaten the survival of the entire film industry. The average ticket price, which in 2019 was 12,000 won (on weekends), increased to 15,000 won after the COVID-19 epidemic.
