Korean Film Industry Forum

Film Industry Forum

Holdbacks and Screen Monopolies in Korea and Japan

The changes in the film distribution market following the COVID-19 pandemic have brought significant shifts and challenges to the entire Korean film ecosystem. This session aims to actively discuss and address the urgent and critical issues of holdbacks and screen monopolies by examining the situations in both Korea and Japan. Join us as we bring these important topics to the forefront of industry dialogue.

Date July 8 (MON) 13:00 ~ 16:00
Location Seminar Room (5F) at KOMACON
Host Organizing Committee of Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival
Co-host Women In Film Korea, The Association of Korean Independent Film&Video, Korean Film Producers Association (KFPA), Producers Guild of Korea(PGK), Korean Arthouse Association
Inquiries Creative Support Team | conference@bifan.kr

Moderator

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CHOI Nagyong

CEO of Cinema6411

Choi Nagyong is the CEO of Cinema6411, a company that produces and distributes documentaries, and also serves as the President of the Korean Independent Cinema Association.

Presentation 1Changes in Film Market Holdbacks - Distribution Revolution or Market Disruption?

Introducing the emerging conflict of holdback issues in the film market, this presentation will outline the perspectives of theaters, IPTV providers, and distribution companies, highlighting their differing claims and points of contention.

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LEE Hwabae

CEO of Leehwabae Company Inc.

Lee Hwabae worked in film distribution, Korean film investment, and foreign film import and distribution at Cinema Service and Sidus. Since 2019, she has been teaching at the School of Convergence Arts at Chugye University for the Arts. In 2020, she published a specialized book on film business, Film is Distribution: Strategies and Practices for Box Office Success. In 2023, she founded and currently operates the film distribution company Lee Hawbae Company, Inc..

Presentation 2 Differences in Theater Situations Between Japan and Korea

This session aims to explore holdback practices and the allocation and operation of screens for released films in the Japanese film industry, drawing comparisons with the situation in Korea. Join us for an insightful discussion on the differences and implications for both markets.

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LEE Bongwoo

CEO of Sumomo Inc. / COO of Mancy¡¯s Entertainment Inc.

Studying in Paris during the 1980s, Lee bongwoo returned to Korea and founded the film company Cinequanon in 1989. Since then, he has produced and distributed over 250 films domestically and internationally. His distribution of Korean films such as Sopyonje (Im Kwontaek, 1993), Swiri (Kang Jekyu, 1999), Joint Security Area (Park Chanwook, 2000), Untold Scandal (Lee Jaeyong, 2003), Memories of Murder (2003, Bong Joonho), and Oasis (Lee Chang-dong, 2002) sparked the Korean Wave in Japan, earning him a Special Contribution Award at the Busan International Film Festival in 2003. He also produced and distributed Japanese films such as Where Is the Moon? (Choi Yang-il, 2004), Nobody Knows (Kore-eda Hirokazu, 2005), We Shall Overcome Someday! (Kazuyuki Izutsu, 2006), and Hula Girls (Lee Sang-il, 2007). In June 2023, he garnered significant attention by adapting the Korean film Parasite (Bong Joonho, 2019) into a theatrical play in Japan.

Panel of Discussion (In alphabetical)

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GOH Youngjae

CEO of Indieplug Inc.

Goh youngjae produced numerous films, including Our School (Kim Myeong-joon, 2007) and Old Partner (Lee Chung-ryoul, 2008), and directed Song of the Poet: Jung Tae-chun (2022). As the former chairman of the Korean Independent Film Association, he participated in various initiatives such as the Filmmakers' Committee for the Sewol Special Law and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s Committee for Fact-Finding and Institutional Improvement regarding the Cultural Blacklist. He is currently the CEO of Indieplug, Inc.

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KIM Seonah

Representative of Women in Film Korea / Associate Professor at Dankook University, Department of Performing Arts and Film

Kim Seonah has worked as a producer and in production on various films, including Oneday (2016), Rikidozan: A Hero Extraordinary (Song Haesung, 2004), Save the Green Planet! (Jang Joonhwan, 2003), and One Fine Spring Day (2001), as well as the VR film Bloodless (Gina Kim, 2017). Currently, he teaches film at Dankook University's Department of Performing and Film Arts. Since 2021, he has served as the head of the Women in Film Korea organization, striving to create a diverse and equitable environment in the film industry. Additionally, he has been serving as the Vice Chairman of the Korean Film Council since 2022, contributing to the advancement of the film industry.

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KIM Yoonmi

Board Member of Korean Film Producers Association (KFPA) / CEO of OAL

With extensive experience in various aspects of the film industry, including production, distribution, investment, and international business through roles at CJ CGV Movie Collage, China Film Business Team of MK Pictures, and Distribution Team of Showbox, Kim Yoonmi has a comprehensive understanding of the industry. In 2013, she founded the film company OAL, producing diverse films such as Okay! Madam (2020), Diva (2020), and Insane (2016). Additionally, she serves as a director of the Korean Film Producers Association, working on policies to advance the Korean film industry.

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LEE Dong-ha

CEO & Producer of REDPETER FILMS / Representative Director of Producers Guild of Korea(PGK)

LEE Dongha participated as a producer in several notable films including the Korea-France co-production A Brand New Life (2009), the Cannes award-winning Poetry (2010), Hwayi: A Monster Boy (2013), and A Man and A Woman (2015). In 2014, he founded REDPETER FILMS and produced Train to Busan (2016), which was a major success domestically and internationally. He also produced Psychokinesis (2017), Another Child (2018), Birthday (2018), and Peninsula (2020). The 2024 Netflix series The Bequeathed topped the global non-English TV category. Currently, he is preparing for the release of TVING's documentary series Life Line: The Special Rescue Team 3 and the film Hideaway. In 2024, he was elected Representative Director of the Korean Film Producers Association (PGK).