Market-leading multiplex chain CGV has announced that its collection of "indie theaters" devoted to arthouse and independent films are enjoying increased popularity among viewers.

The company confirmed that its individual screens devoted to specialty cinema attracted 305,000 viewers in 2006, which marks a 37% increase over the level of 2005.

In addition, six films passed the 10,000 admissions mark in 2006, compared to only two in 2005.  The six films include Japanese films Maison de Himiko (45,000 tickets) and Sway (18,000), Korean documentaries Between (20,000) and Bisang (18,000), and low-budget Korean films Time (12,000) and No Regret (24,000).  All figures refer to the admissions for CGV theaters only, not total box office.

Given the success of such specialty theaters, CGV plans to add another one in the Gangnam district of Seoul in the first half of 2007.  It also plans to support the marketing of 5 low-budget Korean films in the coming year.

Darcy Paquet (KOFIC)