Contact Numbers for Korean Film Companies
This information is provided for festival programmers, distributors, and other individuals in the film industry. Please note that these are not retail companies; they do not sell DVDs with English subtitles.
International Sales Companies
Up until the late 1990s Korea didn't have any major international sales companies, and it was very rare for any Korean film to be sold overseas. Since then, however, Seoul-based sales companies have aggressively marketed Korean films abroad, with very good results. These days there are 7-8 major sales companies in Korea, some representing major distributors (CJ E&M, Showbox, Lotte), and some operating independently (Finecut, M-Line, Mirovision, etc.). Festival programmers or companies looking to import Korean films should contact the companies below (check their websites for more information).
CJ E&M Corporation
17th Floor, CJ E&M Center, 66 Sangamsan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea
Tel : +82-2-371-6278 / Fax : +82-2-371-6340
e-mail : justinkim@cj.net
http://www.cjent.co.kr/eng
Finecut Co., Ltd
4th Fl., Incline Bldg., 891-37 Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Tel : +82-2-569-8777 / Fax : +82-2-569-9466
e-mail : cineinfo@finecut.co.kr
http://www.finecut.co.kr
Indiestory (short films, documentaries, and independent films)
4Fl, Baek-ak Bldg., 135-4, Tongin-dong, Jongro-gu, Seoul, 110-043 Korea
Tel : +82-2-722-6051 / Fax : +82-2-722-6055
e-mail : indiestory@indiestory.com
http://www.indiestory.com
Lotte Entertainment
4th Floor, Lotte Castle Plaza, 7-18 Sincheon-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-240 Korea
Tel : +82-2-3470-3540 / Fax : +82-2-3470-3439
e-mail : r333@lotte.net
http://www.lotteent.co.kr
M-Line Distribution
6F, Samhwa Bldg., 536, Shinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-889 Korea
Tel : +82-2-796-2425 / Fax : +82-2-796-2429
e-mail : sales@mline-distribution.com
http://www.mline-distribution.com
Mirovision Inc.
6F, Shinhwa Bldg., 635-1, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, 140-887 Korea
Tel : +82-2-3443-2553 / Fax : +82-2-3443-4842
e-mail : sales@mirovision.com
http://www.mirovision.com
Showbox/Mediaplex, Inc.
3 Fl., Mediaplex, 174-15, Dogok-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-504 Korea
Tel: +82-2-3218-5500 / Fax: +82-2-3444-6688
e-mail: sales@showbox.co.kr
http://www.showbox.co.kr/english/index.asp
9ers Entertainment
4 Fl., Dongshim Bldg, 582-3, Shinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-892 Korea
Tel: +82-70-7096-8972 / Fax: +82-2-516-1573
e-mail: teferet@niners.co.kr
http://www.niners.co.kr
Film Commissions
Film commissions are organizations that are devoted to assisting local and foreign filmmakers with location shooting. They help filmakers to obtain shooting permits, apply for visas for foreign crews and actors, rent film equipment or studios, pay local taxes, etc.
Korea's first film commission, the Busan Film Commission, was established in 1999 and has grown to become a leader in the region through its hosting of the Busan International Film Commission & Industry Showcase (BIFCOM) each year during the Busan film festival, and through its efforts to launch an Asian Film Commission Network (AFCNet). Other film commissions in Seoul, Jeonju, Jeolla Namdo Province, Daegu, Jeju Island, and Gangwon Province have been formed or are in the process of being formed.
If you are a foreign filmmaker interested in shooting in Korea, feel free to contact any of these organizations for free advice and assistance. If you are not yet sure what part of Korea you would like to shoot in, I recommend contacting the Busan and Seoul film commissions, as they are the largest and most experienced.
Busan Film Commission
2Fl., Busan Cinema Studio, 1392, Woo-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan 612-824, Korea
Tel: +82-51-731-6527 / Fax: +82-51-731-6529
e-mail: bfc@bfc.or.kr
http://www.bfc.or.kr
Jeonju Film Commission
502, Girin Officetel, #155-1, Gosa-dong, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Korea
Tel: +82-63-286-0421 / Fax: +82-63-286-0424
e-mail: jeonjujjfc@naver.com
http://www.jifc.or.kr
Seoul Film Commission
114, 1F, C Area, DMC Hi-tech Industry Center, Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea
Tel: +82-2-777-7092 / Fax: +82-2-777-7097
e-mail: seoulfc@seoulfc.or.kr
http://www.seoulfc.or.kr