Exploring the New 4D Cinema Experience with IU's Concert Film

Hello! Today, we delve into the latest concert film, IU Concert: The Winning (아이유 콘서트: 더 위닝), which premiered on January 24, 2025. This film captures IU's concert held in September last year at Sangam, Seoul. What makes this release particularly noteworthy is that it is the first film to be screened in the world's first four-sided cinema, known as 'YongsuX' (용스엑), located at the Yongsan CGV. This innovative cinema utilizes a four-sided screen setup, expanding on the existing ScreenX format that employs three screens (front, left, and right). Currently, YongsuX is exclusively available at Yongsan CGV.

The ticket price for this unique experience is set at 30,000 KRW, which is double the cost of a standard movie ticket and comparable to the Yongsan IMAX (용아맥). This raises questions about whether YongsuX can deliver an experience worthy of its price tag. Is the four-sided cinema truly four times more engaging? Or is it merely a marketing gimmick?

I attended a screening on February 1, 2025, and sat in seat H17, located in the central block. The view was unobstructed, and the pre-show visuals projected onto the ceiling created a sense of depth and immersion. However, these visuals were merely graphics, and the true test lies in how well the film integrates background and characters.

Regarding ticket pricing, CGV's website lists the standard ScreenX ticket at 22,000 KRW for weekends. The jump to 30,000 KRW for this concert film represents a significant 36.36% increase. While concert films often carry a higher price tag, it remains to be seen how many future films in YongsuX will adhere to the lower price point.

My viewing experience focused on three key points:

1. Does the ceiling screen add meaningful enjoyment to the viewing experience?

2. Is the four-sided effect applied throughout the film, or just in select moments?

3. Does the four-sided cinema offer a distinct experience compared to traditional formats?

To answer the first question, the ceiling screen resembles a high-resolution screensaver, with various images floating above, enhancing the overall spatial experience. In the case of IU's concert film, approximately 90% of the runtime featured the four-sided effect, with visuals displayed on the ceiling during her performances.

However, the quality of the side screens remains a concern, as they often lag behind the front screen in clarity. The high percentage of four-sided visuals is partly due to the repeated use of footage featuring a packed audience, which is easier to integrate than unique cinematic scenes.

In conclusion, while YongsuX offers a different experience from traditional cinemas, the execution may not meet expectations. The film's production must consider the four-sided format from the planning stage, which may limit the variety of films that can be effectively showcased. As it stands, YongsuX may primarily cater to dedicated fans of concert films rather than general moviegoers.

I shared my experience with a friend who is a big fan of IU. After watching, they remarked that they wouldn’t have realized it was a four-sided film if I hadn’t mentioned it. When asked if they would pay 30,000 KRW for a ticket, their response was a firm no.

As a parting note, I’d like to share a scene from IU's acting role in the drama My Mister (나의 아저씨), which deeply moved me and prompted me to binge-watch the series. In this poignant moment, IU's character, Ji-eun, listens to a song while feeling a sense of loneliness, showcasing her acting prowess. I look forward to seeing more of her in films soon!