How To Go To The Movies (in Korea)

The movie theatre in Korea looks like any ol' movie theatre across North America, except imagine the lobby of one of "ours" with rows and rows of cushy benches (you'll find out what those are for later).

1. Plan ahead - if you want to see a movie, you have to know more than just a couple hours in advance. Even if it isn't opening weekend movies often sell out (I bought our tickets at noon for a 10pm show and it was nearly full).
2. Take a number - wait until the ticketing agent displays your number (the benches come in handy for this).
3. Purchase your tickets - this is generally like any other interaction us foreigners have with Koreans, lots of hand signals, hoping they magically learn the word you're repeating over and over, leaning over the counter to look at their computer screen, etc.
4. Go home and wait 10 hours for your movie.
5. Time to leave - but not too early, seating is assigned and it's only a 3 minute walk down the street.
6. Arrival - no, you may not go directly into the theatre. Please, entire audience of the movie, sit on the benches in the lobby and wait until the ticketing lady tells you it's time to enter the theatre which is approx. 5 minutes before the movie begins (please also note the use of the benches).
7. No Previews.
8. Movie begins.
9. Latecomers - shamefully wait in the entrance hallway and debate for about 5 minutes when an appropriate time to find your seat will be. When you find that time sprint to your seat. I'm serious, don't even think about lightly jogging. Oh wait, you're carrying drinks and popcorn? You should probably run even faster.
10. Need a Potty Break? - please refer to number 9 (the added stress of needing to pee and not wanting to miss a minute of the movie should probably have you running at near mach speeds).
11. Hahaha? - If you're an English speaker, you'll probably be the only one laughing. This is not racist, I'm merely commenting on the obvious lost in translation situation.
12. Children under the age of 5 - BRING THEM! Borrow someone elses if you don't have any of your own. Especially if it's a late show!
13. Movie ends - everything is pretty much normal from here on home, sorry to disappoint.

Now that you've got this handy list you can print it off and take it to the next movie you see in Korea. You're welcome.