Domestic Film Attendance at All-Time Low

Korean films have been struggling to attract moviegoers this year in their worst season ever.

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According to the Korean Film Council on Thursday, only 40.7 percent, or 35.46 million cinemagoers saw a Korean film this year, a record low since statistics began in 2004. Foreign films attracted 51.64 million spectators over the same period.

Only four Korean movies were seen by more than 2 million people this year -- "Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island" (3.87 million), "Twenty" (3.04 million), "Gangnam Blues" (2.19 million) and "Chronicles of Evil" (2.18 million).

The seven foreign films that hit the mark are "Avengers: Age of Ultron" (10.49 million), "Kingsman: The Secret Service" (6.12 million), "Mad Max: Fury Road" (3.73 million), "Furious 7" (3.24 million), "Big Hero 6" (2.8 million), Spy (2.26 million) and "Jurassic World" (2.23 million).

Between 2011 and 2014, Korean movies claimed over 50 percent of cinema attendees. The previous record low at 42.1 percent was set in 2008.

"In past years, several Korean films attracted more than 10 million spectators, but no others have been as successful", said an industry insider. "Recent Korean films failed to live up to increasing expectations, and as a result more people are turning to foreign films".