Choi Hwi-young, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated on October 13 that discussions regarding the implementation of a holdback period for films are in the final deliberation stage. The holdback refers to a system that delays the release of films on online streaming services (OTT) after their theatrical debut.
During a meeting of the Film Subcommittee of the Cultural Arts Policy Advisory Committee held at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul, Minister Choi remarked, "There are still some points to consider before we proceed with the implementation."
The holdback initiative is currently being discussed by the Public-Private Consultative Body for Improving the Distribution Structure of Korean Films, which includes 22 key decision-makers, including Minister Choi, who have significant influence over the entire film distribution process.
The holdback issue is one of the most pressing matters in the film industry. While theater operators demand a system that guarantees a holdback period to prevent audience attrition, producers and distributors have opposed uniform regulations, citing concerns over recouping their investments.
Minister Choi noted, "Progress has been faster than expected, and we are nearing a conclusion," while also conveying a sentiment of, "Let's think a bit more." He added, "I had hoped to wrap this up before the autumn chill sets in and move on to the next task, but we are now in a situation where we need to deliberate a bit longer." He emphasized that this is not a matter for the government to decide unilaterally, as it was agreed to proceed through a voluntary accord.
Choi also highlighted that the introduction of the holdback is not the end of structural improvements in the film industry. He expressed intentions to address longstanding issues such as the screen quota system and transparency in film revenue settlements once the holdback discussions are concluded.
Additionally, he expressed optimism about boosting film consumption through the expansion of the youth culture pass program. Currently available to those aged 19 to 20, the program will be expanded next year to include individuals aged 19 to 34. Minister Choi mentioned plans to set usage limits by category, stating, "This will undoubtedly help increase film consumption among young people and attract new audiences to the film industry."
During the meeting, there were also calls for improvements to the screen quota system. Film critic Oh Dong-jin stated, "We need to find realistic solutions for the now-ineffective screen quota system," suggesting that it is time to consider an independent film quota. He further proposed that instead of imposing regulations, support could be provided to theaters that screen documentaries for a certain period.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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