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| Actor Kim Min-seok in a scene from "Shark: The Beginning" / Courtesy of Tving |
By Kwak Yeon-soo
During the first wave of COVID-19 last year, Korean cinema witnessed a number of films heading straight to over-the-top (OTT) platforms as theatres remained virtually empty. Starting with "Time to Hunt," the industry then saw a growing number of films take the direct-to-digital route all the way to the recent "Space Sweepers," which opened new doors for film producers to embrace digital premieres.
The ongoing pandemic, which has been keeping moviegoers at home, and the heated competition between homegrown and global OTT service providers have turned digital platforms into the world's most popular viewing spots.
Producers are now looking into the option of sending films straight to OTT with the possibility of a simultaneous release in theaters.
In April, local OTT player Tving made an unprecedented dual theatrical-streaming release for the sci-fi thriller "Seobok," starring Gong Yoo and Park Bo-gum. Tving, which has the second-largest share among local players, saw its monthly active users hit a record of 3.34 million in May, since its launch as an independent entity from CJ ENM in October last year.
According to CJ ENM, "Seobok" topped the most popular film category for two weeks after its release on the streaming service.
"Tving's first original movie Seobok has shown us how streaming and movie theaters can coexist. We will continue to employ strategies and expand our portfolio to bring diversified experience to audiences," the company official said.
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| A poster for Tving's original movie "Midnight," left, and Netflix's occult thriller "The 8th Night" / Courtesy of Tving and Netflix, respectively |
To cut their losses, many producers are choosing to opt for an OTT-only release. Tving's original action film "Shark: The Beginning," which revolves around a victim of school bullying Woo-sol (Kim Min-seok) who overcomes hardships after meeting ultimate fighting champion Do-hyun (Wi Ha-jun), hit the streaming service June 17. After its premiere, the film stood at the top of Tving's most popular film category.
Tving's original thriller film "Midnight," about a deaf woman named Kyung-mi (Jin Ki-joo) who becomes engaged in a thrilling psychological battle with serial killer Do-sik (Wi) is headed for a dual theatrical-OTT release June 30.
Global OTT players are also considering digital release for their upcoming projects, abiding the current circumstances.
After the success of "Space Sweepers," which attracted more than 26 million household viewers on Netflix during the first four weeks after its release, "Night in Paradise" and "Sweet & Sour" were released on the streaming service in April and June, respectively. Following this, "The 8th Night" is set for a digital premiere July 2.
Directed by rookie director Kim Tae-hyung, "The 8th Night" follows Park Jin-su (Lee Sung-min), a retired exorcist who wants to live in peace. However, a demon he expelled finds its way back, and Park must make a fateful decision to prevent it from unleashing hell on Earth.
This year, Netflix is also eyeing to produce two Korean original films ― a cheerful romance flick "Moral Sense," starring Seohyun from Girls' Generation and Lee Jun-young, and action blockbuster "Carter," featuring Joo Won.
