Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
A growing number of Hollywood stars are visiting Korea to meet their fans and see their movies
premiere,... as the Korean market seems to be enjoying a full-blown renaissance at the
moment.
So... what is it about Korea that is drawing A-list actors and actresses to the country?
Our Sohn Jung-in explains. Hollywood star Matt Damon has recently made his first trip
to Korea to promote the U.S. box office hit "Elysium."
Upon his arrival, Damon talked about the stronger footing Korea has gained in the film industry.
"This big movie has come here and this is the one stop. Everybody's schedules are pretty
limited and given that information, this is the place that it's only chosen to send us.
I think that's the best example of the influence that this market has now."
The 42-year-old actor is one of the latest Hollywood megastars to come to Seoul, after
Hugh Jackman from "The Wolverine," Brad Pitt from "World War Z," Robert Downey Jr. from
"Iron Man 3," Tom Cruise from "Jack Reacher," and Leonardo DiCaprio who starred in "Django
Unchained."
Korea has become the fifth largest market in the movie industry after the U.S., India,
China and France, attracting nearly 2-hundred-million viewers annually.
"In the past, Hollywood actors would have their premiere in Japan, but now they acknowledge
the power of Korea's film industry and come to promote their movies in Korea first."
However, movie experts say it may not be all roses for the country, as Hollywood productions
can take advantage of certain aspects of the Korean movie market, where it is possible
to monopolize more than 70 percent of local theaters with a particular film.
In the U.S. and France, for instance, only two or three big blockbusters can be screened
in cinemas to ensure the diversity of genres and film styles.
"This current trend could damage the diversity of movies, since Hollywood blockbusters and
other big-budget movies can monopolize up to 80 percent of the local box office."
With the exception of "Iron Man 3," most of the recent blockbusters have struggled to
make a mark in Korea.
But, experts predict more Hollywood stars will visit Korea to promote their films, as
the local movie market provides attractive conditions for them.
Sohn Jung-in, Arirang News.