‘Snack Movies’ Gain Momentum in South Korea as Actor Kim Nam-gil Joins Trend
 

A new short film starring Kim Nam-gil, co-produced with KB Kookmin Bank, is set to premiere exclusively at Lotte Cinema on November 20, joining a growing trend of abbreviated theatrical releases in South Korea known as “snack movies.”

The 31-minute film, “How to Open a Door” will be screened for 3,000 won, marking another entry in the emerging “snack movie” genre – shorter, lower-priced films meant to be consumed as easily as a snack. 

The term “snack movie” was popularized in June when actor Son Suk-ku released “Night Fishing,” a 13-minute film that screened for just 1,000 won. Since then, the format has gained traction as theaters seek new ways to attract audiences during an industry downturn. 

Last month, CGV theaters screened an 8-minute animated film titled “No Home – The Beginning” for 1,000 won. On November 1, Lotte Cinema released a 44-minute horror film, “4 Minutes 44 Seconds,” priced at 4,000 won. The horror film has already drawn over 40,000 viewers in its first ten days of release. 

Industry observers expect the trend to continue, seeing it as a potential catalyst for bringing audiences back to theaters. “Films that require minimal time and financial commitment could help bridge the gap between audiences and theaters,” said an industry insider. “The format also aligns well with the current preference for short-form content.”

Source: http://koreabizwire.com/snack-movies-gain-momentum-in-south-korea-as-actor-kim-nam-gil-joins-trend/297460

Comprehension

What is a “snack movie”?
How long is the short film How to Open a Door, and who stars in it?
When and where will How to Open a Door premiere?
How much does a ticket for How to Open a Door cost?
Which short film popularized the term “snack movie”?
How have theaters priced these “snack movies”?
What is the industry’s expectation for the impact of “snack movies”?

Discussion

Why do you think audiences might be interested in shorter, lower-priced films?
What might be some challenges in creating a compelling story within a short film format?
Do you think “snack movies” will be as popular as full-length movies in theaters? Why or why not?
How could “snack movies” help the theater industry recover from a downturn?
Would you be interested in watching a short movie at a theater? Why?
How do you think shorter films compare to the trend of short-form video content online?
What other creative ideas could theaters implement to attract more viewers?
Should “snack movies” have different genres or focus on a specific style? Why?
How might ticket pricing affect the success of these short films?
Do you think short films will inspire more filmmakers to explore unique storytelling techniques?

Vocabulary

Abbreviated - shortened or condensed in length.
Premiere - the first showing or debut of a film.
Emerging - becoming apparent or coming into existence.
Traction - gaining popularity or support.
Industry downturn - a period of reduced activity or success in an industry.
Catalyst - something that causes a significant change or event.
Bridge the gap - to connect or reduce the distance between two things.
Aligns - matches or agrees with.