Korean Film Council Launches Probe into Ticket Scalping at Premium Theaters Like IMAX

- Dedicated reporting channel for scalping and fraudulent trading at premium theaters opens August 18

- Ongoing collection of online scalping cases and audience complaints to analyze distribution patterns

The Korean Film Council (Chairperson Han Sang-jun, "KOFIC") will begin accepting reports on an ongoing basis starting Tuesday, August 18, regarding the illicit resale of tickets ("scalping") for premium theater formats at domestic cinemas, including IMAX, 4DX, and Dolby Cinema. The initiative aims to assess the scale of the problem, prevent harm to moviegoers, and foster a fair viewing environment.

In recent releases of high-profile films, seats in premium theaters, which are in especially high demand among audiences, have reportedly been bought up in bulk using macro programs and other automated tools, then resold at a markup on secondhand marketplaces and social media. This ongoing practice has caused mounting harm and frustration among ordinary moviegoers.

In response, KOFIC will open a dedicated reporting channel to gather concrete evidence of actual cases of harm and suspected scalping activity. Reports are being sought from:

- Moviegoers who suffered losses from marked-up resale of premium theater tickets

- Individuals who have identified posts or evidence of scalping on secondhand marketplaces, social media, or ticket resale sites

- Individuals who have observed abnormal bulk ticket purchases suspected of involving macro programs

Moviegoers wishing to submit a report can do so by emailing the dedicated address (justice@kofic.or.kr) with the film title, theater name (branch), screening date and time, and seat information, along with supporting evidence such as screenshots of resale posts, chat records, and transaction URLs.

Based on the reports collected, KOFIC plans to closely analyze the structure of scalping activity and the extent of harm in premium theaters. The findings will serve as foundational data for developing effective measures to eradicate scalping going forward, including consultations with major online trading platforms and relevant government agencies, improvements to distribution-prevention systems, and legislative and regulatory reinforcement.

KOFIC's Fair Growth Center stated, "The unjust profiteering by some scalpers deprives moviegoers of their rightful opportunity to watch films and constitutes a serious problem that undermines trust across the industry as a whole." The center added, "The identity of reporters and the content of their reports will be kept strictly confidential in accordance with relevant laws, and we ask for the active interest and cooperation of moviegoers."

Premium Theater Ticket Scalping and Fraudulent Trading Report Guidelines

- Reporting Period: Ongoing from Tuesday, August 18, 2026, until further notice

- Who Can Report: Victims of scalping and witnesses of fraudulent trading involving premium theaters (IMAX, 4DX, Dolby Cinema, etc.)

- Information to Submit:

  - Film title, theater name (branch), screening date/time, seat number, etc.

  - Amount requested by the seller and method of transaction

  - All supporting evidence, including screenshots of resale posts on secondhand marketplaces/social media, chat records, and transaction links (URLs)

- Where to Report:

  - Email: justice@kofic.or.kr (Subject line: [Ticket Scalping Report] Film Title_Theater Name)

  - Phone: 051-720-4735

- Protective Measures: The reporter's personal information and all submitted materials will be kept strictly confidential and undisclosed.

Published under Public Domain Mark (Korea Open Government License, Attribution). For further inquiries regarding this release, please contact the person in charge. Source: Korean Film Council (KOFIC). https://www.kofic.or.kr/kofic/business/board/selectBoardDetail.do?boardNumber=181&boardSeqNumber=74860