Boom at South Korea's drive-in cinemas amid coronavirus fears

People who want to enjoy some culture this weekend can still go to watch films from the safety of their cars

In a photo taken on March 21, 2020 customers queue in their cars to buy tickets at a drive-through cinema in Seoul. AFP

Box office numbers in South Korea, which has 8,897 confirmed virus cases, have plummeted in recent weeks due to the epidemic, with authorities urging the public to avoid large crowds. AFP

But at drive-in cinemas, moviegoers can enjoy a movie from the comfort of their cars, parked in front of a large outdoor screen. AFP

A couple walk between cars queuing for a screening at a drive-through cinema in Seoul. AFP

A couple look at a mobile phone as they sit in a car at a screening at a drive-through cinema in Seoul. AFP

Movie fans say they feel 'safe' at the drive-in cinema. AFP

Park Dong-ju's drive-in cinema has enjoyed a '10 to 20 per cent increase in sales for weekdays'. AFP

It has been sold-out on weekends. AFP

Choi Jin-young, a 22-year-old hospital worker, said she had to wait two hours for tickets and was worried that it might sell out for the weekend. AFP

A couple sit in their car as they watch a movie screening at a drive-through cinema in Seoul. AFP

People have gone to the drive-in cinema looking for some 'culture'. AFP

Scores of events in South Korea, from K-pop concerts to sports matches, have been cancelled or postponed over the pandemic. AFP

South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun urged religious, indoor sports and entertainment facilities to suspend operations for 15 days, asking the public to work from home and refrain from going outside. AFP

The drive-in cinema in Seoul is open all year round. AFP

The entrance to the drive-in cinema. AFP

A long queue of cars forms in front of a drive-in cinema in Seoul, as South Koreans look for safer spaces to enjoy a movie without the risk of contracting the coronavirus spreading across the world.

Box office numbers in South Korea, which has reported more than 8,500 cases of the virus, have plummeted in recent weeks due to the pandemic, with authorities urging the public to avoid large crowds.

But at Park Dong-ju's drive-in cinema, moviegoers can enjoy a film from the comfort of their cars, parked in front of a large outdoor screen.

"We've had a 10 to 20 per cent increase in sales for weekdays and sell out on weekends," Park said. "We're definitely getting many more calls and internet inquiries after the coronavirus outbreak."

A website for his drive-in cinema has a large banner that reads: "Open throughout the year". That is a stark contrast to theatres elsewhere in the world that were forced to suspend business over virus fears.

Hospital worker Choi Jin-young, 22, said she had to wait two hours for tickets at the cinema and was worried it might sell out for the weekend.

"I wanted to enjoy life with my partner," she said. "But since cinemas are dangerous and worrying to go to, I looked for a special date and that's how we came here."

Park Ji-seung, 24, refrained from going outside because of the outbreak, but said he felt safe at the drive-in cinema.

South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun urged religious, indoor sports and entertainment facilities to suspend operations for 15 days, asking the public to work from home.

Scores of events, from K-pop concerts to football matches, have been cancelled or postponed because of the virus.