• Cartoon and Animation Studies
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• s.21
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• pp.71-84
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• 2010

The current distribution structure in Korea film industry is in the multiplex chain. As a result, most small or medium-sized theaters have been excluded from the market, and all the multiplex chain have gradually been formed into the vertical integration structure. The strike by multiplex theaters in Chuncheon who did not screen for one month led to the problem of the vertical integration, which resulted in many effects. Particularly, it caused considerable effect on the cultural desire and instigated movie-goers to turn to illegal content. This study surveys the process in which Korean multiplex theaters in vertical integration structure took over the Korean film market, and consequently, small theaters collapsed, and the theaters in vertical integration structure kick out small theaters in horizontal integration structure, and conducts a survey on the effect of the one-month strike by Chuncheon CGV from September 27 to October 30, 2008 in Chuncheon where said processes had completed so as to determine the effect of and impact of the problem of the vertical integration, monopoly structure. When major consumers of the film industry, i.e., people in their 20s, see their access to newly released films limited due to closing of multiplex theaters, they feel the impulse to access illegal contents. If they miss viewing the newly released films, they prefer to view illegal contents or films on recording media rather than visiting theaters showing those films. They are also influenced by timing of film release. Specifically, methods of illegal access to newly released films, permanent accessibility to them via recording media, and timing of film release influence their viewing patterns.