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| In this Sept. 17, 1978 file photo, people stand outside waiting to purchase tickets for "The Last Winter" (1978) at the cinema then known as Theater Seoul, on its first day of business. Courtesy of The Seoul Cinema |
By Hwang Dong-hee
Last month, The Seoul Cinema ― one of the oldest movie theaters in Seoul ― announced its permanent closure on Aug. 31, after 42 years of business. First started as a single-screen theater, the cinema became one of the most-loved and -visited cultural centers in the 1990s, playing an important role in Korean film history.
However, The Seoul Cinema has been struggling with financial difficulties ― first losing its competitiveness against multiplex chains such as CGV and Lotte Cinema for some years and now being hit by the pandemic.
Currently, the theater is holding special "Thank You, Good Bye" screenings as a farewell event. The special selections include "Foxcatcher" (2014)" "The Dreamers" (2003) and "The Lovers on the Bridge" (1991). A detailed screening list and schedule is posted on The Seoul Cinema's official website.
The cinema is giving out complimentary tickets on a first-come, first-served basis, starting from Aug. 11, until the last day of screenings on Aug. 31. For three weeks, 100 free tickets will be provided on weekdays (Monday to Thursday), and 200 free tickets will be provided on weekends. Free tickets are available now for all screenings, including recently released films "The Suicide Squad" and "Escape from Mogadishu."
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| In this September 1989 file photo, the then Theater Seoul building is crowded with moviegoers. Korea Times file |
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| In this June 22, 1998 file photo, people are waiting outside the building to buy tickets. Korea Times file |
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| In this July 30, 2006 file photo, The Seoul Cinema building is crowded with visitors. A poster of the box-office hit "The Host" (2006) by director Bong Jun-ho is hung on the wall along with other movie posters. Korea Times file |
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| The Seoul Cinema building, Aug. 11. Yonhap |
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| A man faces a wall covered with old movie posters at The Seoul Cinema, Aug. 11. Yonhap |
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| Moviegoers line up to get free tickets at The Seoul Cinema, Aug. 11. Yonhap |
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| A man checks the screening schedule at The Seoul Cinema, Aug. 11. Yonhap |
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| A man takes a photo of his ticket with The Seoul Cinema signage in the background, Aug. 11. Yonhap |
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