A new trend is emerging in movie theaters as they continue to evolve beyond traditional cinema experiences. In South Korea, CGV theaters has launched an innovative concept: screenings where audiences can knit while watching movies.
The theater chain’s first knitting screening, held in January, proved to be a remarkable success with tickets selling out quickly. During this inaugural event, viewers watched “Little Forest” while working on their knitting projects, with specially adjusted lighting to accommodate both activities. Following the positive response, CGV has decided to make these screenings a regular occurrence, scheduling them for the last Thursday evening of every month.
A CGV representative explained to 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.”
The initiative comes at a time when knitting has seen a surge in popularity, particularly among younger generations. Once considered primarily an activity for older adults, knitting gained widespread appeal during the COVID-19 pandemic as people sought creative outlets. The hobby has even attracted celebrities, with Sakura from the girl group LE SSERAFIM known for her enthusiasm for knitting.
Cultural critic Kim Heon-sik shared his insights with 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 There is a growing perception that passively watching a film is outdated.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.”
While similar events have been hosted in Austria and Sweden, CGV maintains that their initiative was developed independently. Prior to CGV’s program, Leica Cinema in Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun District, had already pioneered the concept locally with a knitting-friendly screening of “Such Small Things” in December.
A former capoeira instructor turned biohacking enthusiast, Gio spent his early years bouncing between São Paulo and Miami before settling in Austin. With a master’s in sports physiology and a penchant for experimenting with traditional Brazilian herbs, he’s become Rude Vulture’s go-to expert on movement optimization and plant-based performance enhancement. When not writing about the intersection of martial arts and ancestral living, he runs an underground fight gym where participants are required to follow strict circadian rhythm protocols.