Drive-In Theaters in South Korea

Drive-In Cinemas in South Korea

South Korea’s first drive-in cinema opened on April 23, 1994, at Bearstown in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province. The format experienced decline by the mid-2010s but surged back during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of late 2025, approximately nine drive-in theaters operate across the country, from the Seoul metropolitan area to Jeju Island.

Origins and Early Years

The Bearstown drive-in in Pocheon introduced the format to South Korea in 1994. Its screen measured 12 meters wide and 5 meters tall. At that time, private car ownership remained uncommon enough that attending a drive-in carried an association with affluence and status.

The concept arrived decades later than in neighboring Japan, where drive-ins had operated since 1962. South Korea’s rapid motorization in the 1990s and 2000s created the conditions for the format to take root. As car ownership rates rose, drive-ins shifted from novelty luxury to accessible entertainment.

Decline and the 2017 Low Point

By the mid-2010s, drive-in cinemas in South Korea were declining. The newspaper Hankook Ilbo published a 2017 article titled “One by One, the Romantic Theater of Lovers Disappearing,” documenting the closures. Multiplex cinema chains had expanded aggressively across the country, offering modern facilities at competitive prices.

South Korea’s high urban density and expensive land pushed many drive-in operators out of business. The remaining theaters survived primarily in suburban and rural areas where real estate pressure was lower.

COVID-19 Revival

The COVID-19 pandemic reversed the decline sharply in 2020. According to SK Telecom’s navigation data, multiplex cinema usage dropped 86% from January levels while drive-in theater visits increased 165%. Operators reported 10 to 20 percent increases in weekday sales and sold-out weekends. Wait times for tickets stretched to two hours at some locations.

CGV, South Korea’s largest cinema chain, responded by opening temporary drive-in venues. The CGV X CAR CINEMA opened in the Seoul Land parking lot in July 2020. Hyundai’s luxury brand Genesis launched “Genesis Cinema” pop-up drive-ins in Paju, Yongin, and Busan, hosting roughly 3,000 guests.

The pandemic also inspired drive-in concerts. Hyundai Motor Company organized the “Stage X Drive-in Concert” over three days in May 2020 at KINTEX in Goyang. Three hundred cars attended each evening session. Audiences used headlight flashing and windshield wipers in place of cheering and applause. A drive-in concert was held at Gyeongbokgung Palace, and the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation staged drive-in musicals as part of its “Art Vaccine Project.”

Current Locations

Drive-in theaters currently operate in nine locations across South Korea. Four sit in Gyeonggi Province, the ring of suburban cities surrounding Seoul. The rest are distributed across the southern half of the peninsula and Jeju Island.

Seoul Metropolitan Area (Gyeonggi Province)

CGV Drive-In Yongin is operated by the CGV chain and sits adjacent to a large cafe complex. Reservations are made through the CGV app. Jayuro Drive-In in Paju is one of the older theaters near Seoul and is known for serving traditional Korean snacks alongside standard cinema fare. Jangheung Drive-In in Yangju has two screens with separate entrances and an unmanned snack store. Pyeongtaekho Drive-In near Pyeongtaek Lake operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Southern Cities and Jeju

Daejeon Drive-In serves central South Korea. CGV Drive-In Yeongdo in Busan holds 140 vehicles and sits near Taejongdae Park, offering ocean-adjacent screenings year-round. Beomseo Hot Springs Drive-In in Ulsan combines cinema with a hot spring bath facility. Cine Palgongsan in Daegu occupies a site at the foot of Palgongsan Mountain. Jeju Drive-In on Jeju Island is known for sunset views before evening screenings and operates until 3:00 AM.

Pricing and Ticketing

South Korean drive-ins charge per vehicle rather than per person. Prices range from 20,000 to 30,000 KRW (approximately $15 to $23 USD), with weekend screenings priced higher. CGV locations use the chain’s app for reservations. Independent theaters typically sell tickets on-site or through their own booking systems.

Some venues offer discount programs. The Daejeon Drive-In provides reusable admission coupons. The Beomseo location runs social media promotions that reduce the entry price.

Korean Drive-In Culture

Drive-in cinemas in South Korea are closely associated with dating culture. The Korean term for a date itinerary, “date course” (데이트 코스), frequently includes drive-in cinema visits. The Hankook Ilbo described them as “romantic theaters of lovers,” and most current marketing frames drive-ins as evening date destinations.

Concession offerings reflect local tastes. Alongside popcorn and soft drinks, Korean drive-ins serve dried squid, dried filefish, and cup noodles. The Jayuro Drive-In in Paju is specifically known for its traditional snack selection.

Audio at all current locations transmits via FM radio frequency. Patrons tune their car radio to a posted station. Screening etiquette in South Korea includes covering dashboard screens and dashcam lights with a blanket, turning off all vehicle lights, and staying parked throughout the film.

Visiting Information

Most South Korean drive-ins open in the early evening, typically between 6:00 and 7:00 PM, and run until midnight or later. The Jeju and Beomseo locations operate into the early morning hours. CGV locations require advance booking through the CGV mobile app. Independent theaters generally accept walk-in visitors, though arriving early is advisable on weekends.

Audio requires a working FM car radio. Searching for drive-in theater (자동차 극장 or 드라이브인 시어터) on Korean portal sites like Naver returns current listings and reviews. Social media accounts for individual theaters post screening schedules and special events.

More Countries

Browse the full country directory to find drive-in cinemas across Asia and Oceania.