Number of Korean films down in '04
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The number of Korean movies produced in 2004 stood at 86, down 26.5 percent from a year earlier, industry data showed yesterday, sending a conflicting message about the booming Korean film industry.
The Korea Media Rating Board, which gives ratings to both domestic and foreign films, said 86 movies went through its screening process last year. In 2003, the board handled 117 Korean movies.
The number of Korean movies surged 13.2 percent in 2001 and 71.4 percent in 2002, before going down 11.4 percent in 2003. The data for 2004 marks the second consecutive loss.
Although the film industry is enjoying an unprecedented boom and carving out some 60 percent share in local theaters thanks to several blockbusters and top-rated actors, the downward trend in terms of locally produced movies is interpreted as a warning sign.
The rating board said 258 foreign films applied for ratings in the domestic market, up 9.8 percent from 235 films in 2003.
The total number of movies which received ratings from the board was 344, down 10 from 2003. The portion of Korean films accounted for 25 percent, down 8.2 percent from a year earlier.
Films which received a rating for 18 or older viewers made up 23.5 percent, while movies allowed for 15 or older viewers carved out a 40.7 percent share. And the board classified six movies as unfit for the general rating standard. These movies were screened in specially designated theaters in a category known as "restricted viewing".
Some 5,000 video films and works applied for ratings, up 14.4 percent from 2003. The number of homegrown video films increased 74.4 percent, while foreign imports decreased 36.7 percent.
By Yang Sung-jin
The Korea Media Rating Board, which gives ratings to both domestic and foreign films, said 86 movies went through its screening process last year. In 2003, the board handled 117 Korean movies.
The number of Korean movies surged 13.2 percent in 2001 and 71.4 percent in 2002, before going down 11.4 percent in 2003. The data for 2004 marks the second consecutive loss.
Although the film industry is enjoying an unprecedented boom and carving out some 60 percent share in local theaters thanks to several blockbusters and top-rated actors, the downward trend in terms of locally produced movies is interpreted as a warning sign.
The rating board said 258 foreign films applied for ratings in the domestic market, up 9.8 percent from 235 films in 2003.
The total number of movies which received ratings from the board was 344, down 10 from 2003. The portion of Korean films accounted for 25 percent, down 8.2 percent from a year earlier.
Films which received a rating for 18 or older viewers made up 23.5 percent, while movies allowed for 15 or older viewers carved out a 40.7 percent share. And the board classified six movies as unfit for the general rating standard. These movies were screened in specially designated theaters in a category known as "restricted viewing".
Some 5,000 video films and works applied for ratings, up 14.4 percent from 2003. The number of homegrown video films increased 74.4 percent, while foreign imports decreased 36.7 percent.
By Yang Sung-jin
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