[Dispatch=Reporter Jung Tae-yoon] The film 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' (hereinafter 'Spider-Man 4') attempted to exploit a loophole in advance ticket sales. It quietly opened advance booking windows to coincide with a 6,000 won movie ticket event. This disregarded the Korea Film Council's review procedures and ticket opening rules.

The Korea Film Council made an emergency request to theaters on the 10th to halt 'Spider-Man 4' advance bookings. Concerns were raised about a violation of the Labeling and Advertising Act.

Previously, 'Spider-Man 4' opened tickets on the 8th. Advance booking windows opened at the three major domestic multiplexes: CGV, Lotte Cinema, and Megabox.

The problem was that advance booking was forced open while the film's rating was still undetermined. The Video Rating and Administration Committee's review of 'Spider-Man 4' was still underway.

According to film industry insiders, Sony Pictures requested theaters, saying "the film is scheduled to be rated 12 and up, so please open advance bookings first."

A multiplex official told Dispatch, "Theaters are in a position where we need to receive products. Also, since the film is a major release, we discussed it and hurriedly opened advance bookings."

Why did Sony Pictures rush? The 8th was the day the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Film Council began the second distribution of '6,000 won movie ticket discount vouchers.' The discount vouchers are limited in quantity.

Moreover, competing films 'Hope' (director Na Hong-jin) and 'Odyssey' (director Christopher Nolan) had already completed their reviews. They were able to open advance bookings through normal procedures.

Meanwhile, 'Spider-Man 4' had no rating. Speculation arose that advance bookings were forcibly opened with competition from the two films in mind.

'Spider-Man 4' gathered 100,000 viewers in four days through its exploitative advance booking opening. It rose to 2nd place in real-time advance booking rates at 16.2%.

Tickets already sold were not cancelled. The Korea Film Council stated, "It is difficult to cancel processed tickets because they involve a connection between the theater and moviegoers," and said they are "monitoring the situation."

<Photo source=Korea Film Council, CGV screenshot>