Hollywood — First in Korea?

Though a few days ago we considered the growing importance of Korea for Hollywood, it is possible to go too far with that line of thought. Case in point – one reporter celebrating Korea´s new place in the sun by bragging on its hosting of the international premieres of Hollywood films, noting only obliquely that these films are premiering at all points abroad on the same day. Oh well.

Some may also get a chuckle out of the phrase in the original article “우리나라 시간이 미국보다 빠르기 때문에”, literally translating as “because our country´s time is faster than America´s”, which certainly should ring true to anyone dodging delivery guys on motorbikes in Seoul.

This summer will see a blitz of Hollywood blockbusters and they will by turns have their international premieres in Korea.

With a staggering production fee invstment of $300 million and much greater action than the first installments the action and CG-fest ´Spiderman 3´ will have its international premiere next month in Korea. This is three days after the US debut of May 4. In particular this is an even more special case as unlike the normal situation of premiering on a Friday or Thursday it will be on a Tuesday. The Steven Spielberg-produced and Michael Bay-directed blockbuster “Transformers” will also meet international audiences for the first time, including in Korea, on June 28. Before this, 2003´s “Lord of the Rings 3″, “The Phantom of the Opera”, and “Constantine” also were first screened in Korea.

Recently Steven Spielberg and Michael Bay have been on a long world-wide trip including Korea. “Pirates of the Caribbean: At the End of the World” and “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” will meet Korea on May 25 and July 12, respectively, making their world premieres at the same time.

Since May of last year “Mission Impossible: 3″ and “The Da Vinci Code” also made their domestic debuts with no time difference. Since our country´s time is ahead of American time it can substantially be reckoned that our country had the earlier debut.

As for big blockbusters having their first domestic screenings, it´s the request of the head offices in America to test our country´s audiences to see if they like it but as the domestic market for illegal downloads is growing Hollywood´s pictures are also including warnings.

A representative from a company that imports Hollywood films said “The time difference in premieres between Hollywood and world markets is gradually tending to drift downwards,” and “the spreading market for illegal downloads is going to have significant repercussions.”

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