The hubbub began at Cannes, when a number of French theater chains had the same issue with Netflix’s day-and-date release strategy.
After surviving Cannes while plagued by talk of the scandal brewing between Netflix and French theater chains, 93% of theaters in Bong’s home country have announced they won’t be screening Okja because of Netflix’s same-day release plan.
The major theater chains in South Korea take their three week window rule seriously, saying that it’s “an important business practice in Korea.”
Variety reports that Lotte Cinema and Megabox, South Korea’s second- and third-largest theater chains, have followed CJ CGV, the largest, in their decision not to screen the film.