Lotte Cinema

Lotte Cinema
Native name
롯데시네마
TypePrivate
IndustryMovie theater, Theatres
Founded1999 (1999)[1]
Headquarters
Songpa District, Seoul
,
South Korea
ServicesMovie theater
OwnerLotte Corporation (aka Lotte Group)
ParentLotte Cultureworks
Websitelotteent.com

Lotte Cinema (Korean: 롯데시네마) started as the Cinema Business Division under Lotte Shopping in 1999 with the concept of focusing on launching a new entertainment era. As part of the rapid growth of the Korean film industry in the early 2000s, Lotte Cinema expanded its market share and is now the second largest multiplex chain in Korea.[2]

Lotte Cinema currently operates 143 sites with 842 screens nationwide in South Korea as a division of entertainment business of the Lotte Group under the name Lotte Cultureworks along with Lotte Entertainment.[3]

History

Lotte Cinema started as the Cinema Business Division under Lotte Shopping in 1999. By September 2003, Lotte Shopping's Cinema Business Division had been involved in the planning and production of movie imports, distribution, investment projects and performances under the name of Lotte Entertainment.

In 2018, Lotte Corporation rearranged their Cinema Business Division by moving Lotte Cinema under Lotte Cultureworks along with Lotte Entertainment.[4]

Theater Experiences

Inside the Lotte Cinema Super Plex World Tower theater

In 2014, Lotte Cinema World Tower opened to the public with 21 screens and 4,615 seats.[5] Lotte Cinema's signature cinema is located in Lotte World Tower.

After the film industry went through the COVID pandemic, Korean multiplex chains started experimenting with different theater formats to bring customers back. Lotte Cinema launched the 'Culture Square', a complex cultural space to enjoy new experiences and content.[6]

Below are the various premium theater formats owned by Lotte Cinema:

Theater Format Description Locations Ref.
SUPER PLEX World Tower Formerly named SUPER PLEX G, the theater was renamed in 2022 and houses the world's largest screen (34m x 13.8m) and is listed on the Guinness Book of World Records. The auditorium has a 4K dual laser/shaker system, Dolby 136 sound package, and seating prices vary based on format and premiums. · World Tower [7]
SUPER PLEX A brand of theaters with wide sized screens with Dolby 360 sound systems and 6P laser projection. · Dongtan · Eunpyung · Gwangbok · Suwon · Gwangmyung Outlet · Paju Unjung · Suji · Sang-in · Wonju Musil · Cheongju Yongam · MBCine [8]
SUPER S World's first LED screen cinema with LED screens from Samsung and surround sound by Harman. · Cheonan Buldang · World Tower · Konkuk Uni · Centum City [9]
CHARLOTTE Premium format based on first-class services including exclusive lounge, complimentary food and beverages, and concierge services. · World Tower · Dongtan · Konkuk Uni · Avenuel · Gimpo Airport · Ansan · Pyungchon · Gwangju · Dongsung-ro · Gwangbok · Centum City [10]
COLORIUM Largest LED screen in Korea (14 meters) with Harman JBL surround sound, recliner chairs, and theater exclusive introductory laser performance. · Suwon [11]
SUPER 4D Branded theaters featuring 4D effects including wind, lighting, bubbles, fog, scents, water, and chair motion/vibrations. · World Tower · Gasan Digital · Gwangbok · Nowon · Suh Cheongju · Suwan · Suwon · Ulsan · Cheongryangri · Pyungchon [12]
CINE FAMILY Branded theaters with private booths for family viewing · World Tower · Cheonan · Cheongdang [13]
CINE BIZ Branded theaters that are customized for business presentations with multiple tables, stage, lighting system, and projection system. · World Tower · Seo Cheongju · Anyang ·Daegu Yulha [14]

International Markets

Lotte Cinema opened its first overseas multiplex in Vietnam in 2008. The company now operates 46 theaters in Vietnam with 219 screens.[15]

In 2010, Lotte Cinema China opened in Shenyang and grew operations to 9 theaters spanning 67 screens.[16] However, the company exited China's market in 2022 due to business structure complexities according to Global Times news reports.[citation needed]

In total, Lotte Cinema manages 198 sites with 1,128 screens worldwide.[17]

Issues

On June 5, 2021, Lotte Cinema held an eco-friendly event to celebrate 'Environmental Day'. It is an event that fills the multi-use food containers brought by customers with popcorn. However, as some customers buy unnecessary plastic (ex. large containers), Lotte Cinema's event is criticized for being out of the essence.[18]

See also

  • CJ CGV, Lotte's main competitor in movie theatre industry
  • Megabox is a chain of movie theaters in South Korea.

References

  1. ^ "Company: Lotte Cinema". Lotte Cinema. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  2. ^ Moon, Nuri (June 30, 2022). "'Top 3 in 10,000 years' Megabox investment in 'collaboration' instead of screens". The Bell (Capital Market Media).
  3. ^ "Korean Industry Statistics". Korean Film Council. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  4. ^ Lee, Hyo-won (November 3, 2018). "Head of South Korea's Lotte Group on New Entertainment Division Cultureworks". Hollywood Reporter.
  5. ^ "Company: Lotte Cinema". Lotte Entertainment. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Enjoying Climbing, Tennis & World Cup Games in the Theater". Korean Film Council. 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  7. ^ Choi, John (July 5, 2014). "Lotte Super Plex G to Beat World's Record as The Largest Cinema Screen". The Korea BizWire.
  8. ^ "Special Theaters for You (Guide)". Lotte Cinema. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  9. ^ Hong, You-kyoung (December 19, 2017). "Lotte Cinema theater has world's largest LED". Korea JoongAng Daily.
  10. ^ "Special Theaters for You (Guide)". Lotte Cinema. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  11. ^ Park, Jae-hwan (December 23, 2020). "Lotte Cinema, LED screen special theater 'Colorium' opened". KBS Media.
  12. ^ "Special Theaters for You (Guide)". Lotte Cinema. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  13. ^ "Special Theaters for You (Guide)". Lotte Cinema. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  14. ^ "Special Theaters for You (Guide)". Lotte Cinema. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  15. ^ Kim, Hyeong-soo (May 12, 2023). "CJ CGV solidifies its No. 1 position in Vietnam... 2nd place at Lotte Cinema". The Guru.
  16. ^ Song, Soon-jin (February 29, 2016). "7 More Screens Added in Suzhou, Jiangsu". kofic Korean Film News.
  17. ^ "Lotte Cinema". Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  18. ^ Moon, Soo-jeong (2021-06-06). ""I even bought a cafeteria trash can for popcorn."Green campaign controversy". news.kmib.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-06-06.

External links