Movie theaters used to be—generally speaking—where people watched movies. Maybe enjoy a bit of popcorn, as long as you ate quietly. The rise of streaming services and the COVID-19 pandemic have changed all that, however. To overcome a potentially existential crisis, movie theaters began transforming into spaces where visitors can do much more than watch films. They’ve evolved into spaces where you can enjoy a far wider range of life’s pleasures, from indoor rock climbing to taking into sweeping vistas of the deep blue sea. Some even turn the tables on the audience, making them the stars of the show.

In this issue KOREA, we look at the transformation of Korea’s movie theaters. We also talk with funky traditional Korean music group Ak Dan Gwang Chil, taste some of the foods Korean films made famous, explore the potential of Korean-style franchise movies, and discover the joy of one of Korea’s most beloved dishes, kimchi jjigae.