South Korea’s monthly “Culture Day,” previously held on the last Wednesday of each month, expanded in April to a weekly Wednesday program called “Culture Wednesday.”
The change follows the Culture, Sports and Tourism Ministry’s approval on March 3 of a revision to the enforcement decree of the Framework Act on Culture. The ministry said the revision broadens benefits such as discounted movie tickets and free or discounted admission to national heritage sites and sports events.
But online communities have questioned whether the movie-ticket benefit has effectively been reduced rather than expanded.
Under the previous program, movie tickets cost 7,000 won on Culture Day. Under the revised decree, the discount applies twice a month, but ticket prices rise to 10,000 won for adults and 8,000 won for youths.
While theaters may offer discounts more often, viewers who do not go at least twice a month would pay more per discounted visit — a 3,000-won increase for adults compared with the previous 7,000-won price.
The article said theaters had borne the cost of the discount without government subsidies. It said theaters, after consultations with the ministry, agreed to join the expanded program by increasing discount days to twice a month while raising the discounted price.
After the change became known, comments on portal news sites, online communities and social media largely argued that cultural benefits had been cut, saying it would be better to keep a once-a-month 7,000-won movie ticket.
Because the previous Culture Day was credited with boosting attendance, some have voiced concern that higher discounted prices under Culture Wednesday could weaken the draw and ultimately reduce theatergoers.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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