Actor Son Suk-ku in a scene from the movie "Night Fishing" / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group

Short films such as "Night Fishing," "4:44: Time of Fear" and "How to Open the Door" with running times under an hour — some as brief as 10 minutes — are bringing fresh perspectives to the cinema scene with their innovative concepts that can only be conveyed in such concise formats.

These short films with novel approaches are attracting more people to cinemas and appealing to audiences accustomed to short-form content, according to industry officials.

"Short films are being produced more frequently as they draw audiences to theaters," an official from the movie industry said. "Additionally, companies are creating innovative and impactful films based on their services and products, moving beyond simple commercials, which is seen as a new approach."

Among those short films, "Night Fishing" garnered significant attention this year. The 13-minute film, starring popular actor Son Suk-ku, was primarily shot in an IONIQ 5 electric vehicle (EV) produced by Hyundai Motor. It received acclaim for its unique composition, never showing a full shot of the EV, and was shot using the vehicle's built-in cameras.

Set in an EV charging station, this short explores a mysterious incident with a plot twist for an ending. It has already gained recognition at prestigious international film festivals, winning eight awards at the 2024 Korea Advertising Awards, organized by the Korea Federation of Advertising Associations.

Lee Jin-ki, better known by the stage name Onew from K-pop group SHINee, in a scene from the movie "4:44: Time of Fear." Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment

The horror film "4:44: Time of Fear," consisting of eight four-minute, 44-second episodes totaling 44 minutes, also attracted considerable attention after its November release. The movie delves into mysterious disappearances occurring daily at the same time in an apartment complex.

With its 44-minute running time, the film set its ticket price at 4,000 won ($2.84), significantly lower than the average movie ticket price of 15,000 won. According to the Korean Film Council, the movie has drawn 46,761 viewers as of Dec. 3, making it a success. Distributor Lotte Entertainment said over 60 percent of the audience was in their teens and 20s, indicating its appeal to younger viewers.

A scene from Japanese animation "Look Back" / Courtesy of Megabox JoongAng

The Japanese animation "Look Back," despite its 58-minute running time, attracted over 300,000 viewers.

The film's success was largely due to word-of-mouth, as it moved audiences with its portrayal of friendship, conflict, separation and tragedy between two girls. Also, celebrities like actor Lee Je-hoon recommended the film after multiple viewings, contributing to its unexpected popularity.

Actor Kim Nam-gil is seen in a scene from the short film "How to Open the Door." Captured from KB Kookmin Bank's YouTube channel

"How to Open the Door" is a collaboration between actor Kim Nam-gil and KB Kookmin Bank, created to support children child care facilities as they prepare for independent living upon aging out of the institutions.

Released on Nov. 20, the 31-minute film charges 3,000 won for admission, with profits going toward supporting these young adults' independence.

The film uses fantasy elements to depict the real-life challenges faced by young adults struggling with self-reliance due to insufficient preparation.

Actor Kim stated that he took on the production and lead role because he believed the film "not only tells the story of young adults preparing for independence but also resonates with new entrants to society or anyone experiencing things for the first time."