CGV held a knitting screening in January, which sold out completely. Courtesy of CGV
By KTimes
The transformation of movie theaters continues. At times, they host large-screen sports events or fan meetups, while Lotte Cinema has even organized large-scale matchmaking sessions. In this wave of innovation, CGV is introducing a unique initiative as well.
CGV has announced plans to hold regular knitting screenings, where audiences can knit while watching movies. The theater held its first such event in January, and tickets quickly sold out. During the inaugural event, CGV screened "Little Forest" and adjusted the lighting to ensure viewers could focus on both the movie and their knitting. With positive feedback from the first event, the knitting screenings are now scheduled to take place on the last Thursday evening of every month.
Why did CGV decide to launch knitting screenings?
A CGV representative told the Hankook Ilbo, "Recently, theaters have been striving to evolve into spaces where people can experience diverse content beyond movies. This knitting screening idea stemmed from the question: 'What if knitting, which is breaking away from the notion of being a solitary hobby, became a shared healing experience in a theater?' A cinema might be one of the most unconventional places to knit, but we wanted to provide a unique experience where people with the same hobby could gather, watch a movie and enjoy knitting together. We hope that this novel experience will make theaters a place people want to revisit."
CGV plans to hold knitting screenings regularly. Courtesy of CGV
Knitting has gained popularity among younger generations. Once considered a pastime for older adults, it has broadened its appeal across age groups, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when people sought comfort in creative activities.
Knitting is also appreciated for allowing individuals to craft personalized items. Even Sakura, a member of the girl group LE SSERAFIM, is known to enjoy knitting. The knitting screenings align with the desires of hobbyists seeking new experiences, further fueling their interest.
Cultural critic Kim Heon-sik sees knitting screenings as a way to make theaters more accessible. He told the Hankook Ilbo, "Simply sitting and watching a movie is no longer seen as a strength of theaters but as a limitation. There is a growing perception that passively watching a film is outdated. Audiences now value experiences, and their desire for new and unique engagements is increasing. Beyond knitting, theaters will likely need to cater to various hobbies and preferences. Given that theater attendance remains significantly lower than prepandemic levels, efforts to lower barriers to entry are necessary."
Knitting screenings are not exclusive to Korea. Similar events have been held in Austria and Sweden. However, a CGV representative clarified, "This screening was not planned with inspiration from overseas cases." Before CGV, Leica Cinema in Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun District, also hosted a knitting-friendly screening. There, audiences watched "Such Small Things," which was released in December, while knitting.
Whether knitting screenings will continue to make theaters more welcoming remains to be seen.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.
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