ScreenX shows movies, concerts, sports and short films on screens at the front, left, right — and now above — the audience in roughly 30 theaters across South Korea. (David Choi/Stars and Stripes)
When CGV, South Korea’s largest multiplex cinema chain, announced in January that it would begin showing films on the world’s first four-screen movie display the same month, I was skeptical.
Dubbed ScreenX, the system displays movies, concerts, sports and short films on screens at the front, left, right — and now above — the audience in roughly 30 theaters across South Korea.
The technology debuted in 2013 with three screens — one in front and two along the side walls. The recent addition of a ceiling screen is the latest update to what CGV calls an “evolution of the theater,” offering moviegoers a new way to experience visual entertainment, the company said in a news release last month.
But does more screen space actually enhance the experience?
To find out, I visited the CGV theater at the Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul. “Mickey 17,” a science fiction film by Academy Award-winning director Bong Joon Ho, seemed like a safe choice to test the format.
Finding the mall was easy — it’s connected to Yongsan Station — but navigating the complex interior, filled with pop-up shops and clothing stores, took more effort. Shoppers should look for overhead signs bearing CGV’s logo to find the theater.
Inside, moviegoers are guided to their seats by numbers displayed behind leather recliners and on foldable tray tables. While the seating was comfortable, the same couldn’t be said for the cinematic experience.
ScreenX moviegoers are guided to their seats by numbers displayed behind leather recliners and on foldable tray tables at I’Park Mall in Seoul, South Korea. (David Choi/Stars and Stripes)
The film itself — plot and cast — was solid. But ScreenX fell short in execution.
The four screens are separated by thin gaps of empty space that become especially distracting during close-ups or slow scenes. The resolution isn’t consistent across the setup: the main screen was sharp, but the side and ceiling screens were noticeably lower in quality.
Imagine using multiple computer monitors with vastly different resolutions — in some cases, you might just turn the others off.
To minimize the distraction, I found reclining my seat nearly flat helped, though not enough to make the experience immersive.
It’s possible “Mickey 17” wasn’t optimized for the ScreenX format. Scenes alternated unpredictably between using one to four screens, which became jarring over time.
That said, the format may shine in other settings.
The theater also screens concerts and sporting events. A 129-minute Imagine Dragons concert filmed at the Hollywood Bowl was shown using all four screens and 54 speakers. Sports fans can also watch live games, with additional screens used to show pitch angles and real-time scoring data.
If you’re a cinephile who values a director’s original vision, ScreenX might not be for you. But if you’re looking for a high-energy concert or sports experience that overwhelms the senses, it may be worth checking out.
On the QT
Directions: On the sixth floor of Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul, South Korea.
Times: 8 a.m. to midnight daily.
Cost: Approximately $15 for movies, $18 for concerts.
Food: Basic movie theater fare, including popcorn, candy and soda.
Information: Online: m.cgv.co.kr/WebApp/SpecialV5/?idx=3
