A scene from "Mickey 17" / Courtesy of Warner Bros. Korea

As the film industry continues to face mounting challenges, even movies starring top actors are quickly transitioning to video-on-demand (VOD), raising concerns over the future of traditional theaters.

The film "One Win," featuring Song Kang-ho and Park Jeong-min, is a prime example. It opened in theaters Dec. 4 last year but became available on IPTV and digital cable TV VOD platforms just 20 days later, Dec. 24. Another high-profile release, "Bogotá: City of the Lost," starring Song Joong-ki, premiered Dec. 31 and began streaming on Netflix, Feb. 3.

Despite their star-studded casts, these films spent only a short time in theaters before moving to VOD. The trend reflects a broader industry shift where major titles struggle to sustain attention on the big screen.

'Mickey 17', released last month, had been anticipated as a potential savior for struggling cinemas. However, it too fell short of expectations. Multiple foreign media outlets reported that the film, directed by Bong Joon-ho and starring Hollywood actor Robert Pattinson, was scheduled to hit VOD platforms just 18 days after its North American premiere, March 25. Though the VOD release was ultimately delayed, the prospect of such a rapid transition shocked many.

"Bogotá: City of the Lost" hit theaters Dec. 31 last year and became available on Netflix starting Feb. 3. Courtesy of Plus M Entertainment

Industry insiders say the window between theatrical release and VOD availability has significantly narrowed. The rise of over-the-top (OTT) platforms, coupled with declining theater attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic, has prompted studios to focus more heavily on post-theater profits. One such strategy is early VOD releases, which can bring a film closer to breaking even if it performs well through IPTV or other digital sales.

However, this shift poses a serious challenge for movie theaters. A Lotte Cinema official told the Hankook Ilbo, "People now feel like they can just wait a little while for the film to be released on VOD, so there's less incentive to go to the theater."

Online communities reflect this sentiment, with users commenting, "I just wait for the VOD now" and "I don't really go to the movies anymore."

Still, there are potential upsides to the fast move to VOD. Some agencies discover new talent by watching these releases. If a film flops at the box office and shows no signs of gaining popularity later, early VOD access can be a last opportunity for rookie actors to be scouted. A talent agency official said, "With the growth of OTT services, VOD has become more familiar to the public than films in theaters. It's true that many in the industry are now monitoring performances through VOD."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.