While the film industry has been turned upside down due to the manipulation of the number of viewers, there are observations that 'wouldn't it be aimed at the bandwagon effect?'
Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Anti-Corruption/Public Crime Investigation Team consists of 6 locations: Yongsan CGV office, related department offices in Lotte Cinema headquarters in Songpa-gu, offices in Megabox cinema in Seoul, 3 movie distributors, and 3 distributors including Showbox, Kidari ENT, and Lotte Cultureworks. It was announced on the 13th that it is conducting a search and seizure.
These movie theaters and distributors are accused of fabricating the number of audiences, manipulating box office rankings, and interfering with the Korean Film Council's work. The police believe that they interfered with the Korea Film Council's real-time ranking tally by increasing the number of spectators only through computer, and are investigating.
In relation to this, when asked by Ten Asia how they see the background of this incident, a film official answered, "Isn't it to enjoy the bandwagon effect by securing the number of viewers?" The bandwagon effect is a phenomenon in which people adopt certain behaviors, beliefs, or products that many other people do. An official cautiously hinted, "At the time, the film industry was hit hard by the aftermath of Corona 19, and it seems that this led to such temptation."
It is known that a number of films released last year, including 'Emergency Declaration' (released on August 3, 2022) and 'Rain and Your Story' (released on April 28, 2021), are known to have been suspected of manipulating the reservation rate. The works were abnormally issued, such as tickets being sold out in the early morning hours, and a controversy arose in the online community at the time, saying, 'Isn't the production company or distributor trying to artificially increase the number of viewers?'
In this regard, suspicion of box office ranking manipulation was raised during last year's parliamentary audit.
A multiplex official who was subject to investigation told Ten Asia, "The police investigation is in progress, so we are cautious about commenting on details," but "we will actively cooperate with the police investigation."
The Korean Film Council also explained, "The seizure and search are being conducted separately from us."
Jiye Choi, staff reporter at TenAsia wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr