Spike in coronavirus cases led to delays for movie releases

The poster for the upcoming film "Innocence." The film pushed back the release to June due to recent rise of new cases of the coronavirus. [KIDARI ENTERTAINMENT]

A cluster of infections that have been traced to the Itaewon neighborhood in central Seoul has led to delays to the release dates of a number of films.

The distribution companies of three films — mystery thriller “Intruder” and two dramas “Innocence” and Jazzy Misfits” — announced they would delay their premieres in March and April, but after the daily number of infections steadily remained in the single digits earlier this month, it was announced the three would premiere on May 27.

However, the risk of a mass infection arose after over 100 new cases were linked to nightclubs in Itaewon earlier this month, forcing “Intruder” to be delayed until next month. The distributor for "Innocence” also decided to follow suit on Thursday.

“After much deliberation, we have decided to postpone the premiere to June due to the recent rise of new infections,” the film distribution company Kidari Entertainment said. “We will be monitoring the situation constantly for the audience to see the film at the most suitable time.”

Press events and screenings which were set to be held on May 20 were delayed accordingly.

Triple Pictures, the company in charge of “Jazzy Misfits,” on the other hand, ensured that there were no plans to push back the release. The film will be rapper Cheetah’s debut as an actor.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]