Will drive-in theaters offer way out of pandemic times?
CGVs drive-in theater (CGV)  Being unable to walk into theaters freely in the non-face-to-face era has changed moviegoers behavior and boosted streaming platforms such as Netflix and Watcha. But for many, the big screen in a cinema is still the ideal choice. According to movie industry reports on June 26, CGV and Lotte Cinema recently opened drive-in theaters in Incheon and Busan -- the first in South Korea to be operated by large multiplex theater chains with branches throughout the country. The most obvious advantage of a drive-in theater is being able to enjoy movies with friends and family -- on a big screen with full sound -- without coming into contact with the general public. The CGV Drive-In Square One theater, which opened June 25 in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, can accommodate some 100 vehicles. Between July and November last year, CGV temporarily operated a drive-in theater in Gwacheons Seoul Land. But the Incheon branch is permanent, it said. At Seoul Land, 51 percent of the drive-in theaters spaces were filled on average, a CGV official told a domestic media outlet. Given those numbers, the company decided to open a permanent drive-in. Another advantage of the drive-in experience is direct access to the outdoors. Next to the Square One drive-in theater there is a stream called Seunggicheon, with a walking trail where visitors can spend time before and after movies. Delivery services are also provided, with pick-up stands where visitors can order popcorn and other snacks that they can eat in their cars -- unlike todays indoor movie theaters, which only allow beverages and prohibit solid food. A poster for Lotte Cinemas new drive-in theater in Busan (Lotte Cinema)