[Lifehacks] How to get your fill of art-house and indie films in Korea

K-campus

Published: 16 Mar. 2022, 19:37 Updated: 03 Mar. 2023, 17:32

[Lifehacks] How to get your fill of art-house and indie films in Korea

Arthouse Momo inside Ewha Womans University in Seodaemun District [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Hit blockbusters and comedy flicks are easy to find at local multiplex theaters, but some extra legwork will be necessary for anyone seeking out places that show art-house films or independent movies in Korea.

The big name brands like Megabox, CGV and Lotte Cinema do run the occasional indie film at specialized screens in their existing branches, but the multiplexes just may not give the same cozy feel as that of a smaller theater. Art-house film fanatics will often be found going to theaters with just one or two screens and a small number of seats, such as Cinecube, Orfeo, Indie Cinema, Laika Cinema, Emu Cinema, Film Forum, Huegang, Deosup Art Cinema and Arthouse Momo. With a fair number of options for indie theaters, traveling a long distance shouldn't be a big concern.

Although small theaters with limited seating will often recommend making a reservation in advance, some moviegoers choose to visit theaters on a whim to browse what there is to watch when they get there. Films playing at each theater don’t vary much, so some visitors will look for special screenings of older movies. Many of these independent film theaters also use their venue to hold small talks with directors or film critics to share new ideas.

Cinecube

This is one of the most well known art-house cinemas in Korea, with over 20 years of history. It specializes in showing shorter films in particular, and it is the venue for the annual GwangHwaMun International Short Film Festival, whose name was changed last year from the Asiana International Short Film Festival.

The facade of the building that houses Cinecube in Jongno District [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Cinecube has two screens. Currently five movies — “Hope Gap,” “L’evenement,” “Nightmare Alley,” “Cyrano” and “Licorice Pizza” — are playing, and each day has a different schedule.

Here, tickets are not sold individually, but in bulk. The theater sells tickets in bulks of five, 10 and 20. Five tickets cost 45,000 won ($37), 10 tickets cost 85,000 won and 20 cost 160,000 won. Tickets are valid for two years, so you can share them with others or save them to come back later. Buying a bunch of tickets will earn you a serial number, and you'll need to keep this serial number to give to the staff whenever you plan on using your tickets.

Differing from large commercial theaters, these theaters usually don’t run any advertisements and start playing the film right on time.

68 Saemunan-ro, Jongno District
(02) 2002-7776
www.cinecube.co.kr
@cinecube_kr

Orfeo

This theater in Hannam-dong operated by Ode, which sells high-end sound systems from all across the world, is made for audio addicts. It specializes in playing many different types of musical and audio content, ranging from films and musicals to operas. Its space is equipped with over 30 speakers by Danish audio maker Steinway Lyngdorf and has only 30 seats.

Orfeo in Yongsan District [SCREEN CAPTURE]

It shares what films it is currently playing on its Instagram account. This week, it will be showing “Frances Ha,” “Cyrano,” “Spencer” and “House of Gucci.” Tickets cost 25,000 won.

It also has a branch in Haeundae, Busan.

Reservations for both branches can be made by contacting Orfeo through KakaoTalk any time between 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. When contacting them, you will need to write down your preferred branch location, date, time, number of people and the title of the movie you want to see. You will also need to give them your name and contact information. Then you will be notified if your reservation has been confirmed.

Anyone over 15 years old can use the facility to watch the movie. It is also possible to rent the entire place for a private event.

35 Daesagwan-ro, Yongsan District
(02) 512-4093
@ode.orfeo

Arthouse Momo

This two-screen theater which started in 2008 is located inside Ewha Womans University’s ECC building. It is run by Baekdu-Daegan, an art-house film distribution company established in 1994 that has made many contributions to Korea's market for art-house films.

Arthouse Momo offers many chances for the audience to stay up-to-date on news from the art film scene by hosting many different film festivals throughout the year. It will run the Francophonie Film Festival from March 19 to 20 to introduce six films featuring six countries using the French language. The festival aims to show the audience the cultural diversity of French-speaking countries. All the movie tickets for this event are free, and tickets for same-day screenings start to be distributed directly by Arthouse Momo from 2 p.m. Seats are on a first-come first-serve basis.

Arthouse Momo will run the Francophonie Film Festival from March 19 to 20 to introduce six films featuring six countries using the French language. The festival aims to show the audience the cultural diversity of French-speaking countries. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

In January, it had hosted the third edition of the Guji Film Festival, focusing on movies highlighting social minorities. It also annually holds the Swedish Film Festival, the Arab Film Festival and more.

Tickets are usually 10,000 won per person, but tickets for any screenings that start before noon are 6,000 won. Eating and drinking, even water, are forbidden inside the theater. Movies start on time, without any commercial previews.

52 Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun District (Ewha Womans University ECC building B402)
(02) 363-5333
www.arthousemomo.co.kr
@arthousemomo

Multiplex art-house cinemas

Korea’s major multiplexes like CGV, Megabox and Lotte Cinema operate their own services for screening art-house or independent films. CGV runs its Art House at 12 different branches, Megabox operates its Artnine in Dongjack District, and Lotte Cinema has its Arte in Yeongdeungpo District. Tickets can be booked through their websites or mobile applications.

Megabox operates Artnine in Dongjack Distric to show art-house films. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Although each indie film cinema has a different name than their corresponding multiplex, the screens are all still part of the original, mainstream branch. Artnine has two screens and is located in the same building as Megabox's Isu branch, and Arte has one screen at Lotte Cinema’s Sindorim branch. Seats for each screen are under 100, though CGV has some Art House branches that can sit more than 100.

Many of the widely playing art-house films in Korea are currently showing at these theaters, such as “Cats’ Apartment” “Another Round” “Spencer,” “Drive My Car,” “The Blind Man Who Did Not Want to See Titanic,” “Lawrence Anyway,” “Comfort” and “Hope Gap.” Although the number of screens is limited to just one or two, the multiplexes play different films on the screens at different time slots so as to offer as many options to theatergoers as possible.

Tickets are around 12,000 won, but are more expensive on weekends or weekday evenings.

Artnine sometimes offers outdoor screenings of movies at its café area, weather permitting.

For more services available at CGV, go to www.cgv.co.kr or call 1544-1122; for Megabox, visit www.megabox.co.kr or call 1544-0070; and for Lotte Cinea, go to www.lottecinema.co.kr or call 1544-8855.

Student life can be tough. Balancing academic study with growing responsibilities and an all-important social life can be difficult at the best of times, but add another country with a new language and culture into the mix and things can start to get complicated.

[Lifehacks] offers information and advice on building a life in Korea, both in and outside school. From navigating administrative issues to embracing cultural quirks, the Korea JoongAng Daily aims to make life a little bit easier for the more than 150,000 international students that call Korea home.

[Lifehacks] is part of the Korea JoongAng Daily’s K-Campus coverage for current and potential students in Korea and written with support and insight from our dedicated student reporters.

BY SUMMER LEE [summerlee@joongang.co.kr]