New Movie-Watching Record Set

Lee Su-min, 28, left, and Lee Sang-hun, 26, set the new local record for watching movies -- 34 consecutive screenings! Photo courtesy of CGV

A new domestic record of 68 hours and 7 minutes has been set for longest movie watching, Friday (Feb. 27) at a Seoul theater, announced CGV Theater.

Two winners, Lee Su-min, a 28-year-old woman, and Lee Sang-hun, a 26-year-old man, topped the nation’s first official movie-watching marathon by enduring 34 consecutive screenings. Hitherto, the South Korean record was 66 hours 41 minutes 56 seconds while a similar competition in Norway holds the Guinness World Record of over 70 hours. CGV Theater hosted the competition following regulations set by the Korea Record Institute.

A total of 239 participants were chosen by a draw among some 40,000 that applied. The competition began at noon, Feb. 24 and ended around 8 a.m. Feb. 27 when paramedics checked the two prizewinners after the 34th consecutive film and recommended them to stop. Each won a prize of 2.5 million won and a new record certificate from the Korean Record Institute. The third winner, Oh Ju-hyeon, a 22-year-old woman, won 1 million won after lasting about an hour less at 67 hours 7 minutes 41 seconds.

The competition took place under the surveillance of some 200 staff members and 26 paramedics. Participants included a 26-year-old woman, identified as Yu, who was the first to drop out of the competition after 54 minutes 52 seconds; Kwon Bok-sun, a 47-year-old film buff and the eldest contender who braved 57 hours 28 minutes; and Nathan Donald Pence, a 27-year-old American student who lasted 47 hours 21 minutes 10 seconds. The largest number of participants _ about 30 percent _ dropped out between 20 and 24 hours into the marathon.

CGV Theater plans to host the Movie Watching Marathon annually.

Wow... I once saw several movies on an insomnia-ridden international flight and my brain felt like mush.

Theater to Host Movie Watching Marathon

So I get an international call from Canada, from a man who claims to be a world-record holder of TV watching marathons, etc. He wanted me to send him and his publicists plane tickets/lodging for an exclusive cover of his participation. I wonder if CGV will invite him?

CGV Theater will host the 1st Movie Watching Marathon at its Wangshimni chain in Seoul Feb. 24.

According to the Guinness World Records, the longest movie-watching marathon took place over 70 hours, 33 minutes in Norway. South Korea's top score stands at 66 hours 41 minutes 56 seconds set in 2005 at Theater Scala in Seoul. Participants will have a chance to rewrite movie-watching history and win prize money and gifts.

The competition will begin at noon and continue until participants fall asleep. Following regulations of the Korea Record Institute, there will be a five-minute pause after one movie and then a 15-minute break after three movies. Contestants must use the breaks for eating and using restrooms, because they will be dropped out for leaving the seat or using cellular phones during the screening.

Organizers will monitor participants through camcorders during the entire event. Those who close their eyes for more than 5 seconds or use ``artificial means'' (such as matches) to keep their eyes open will be disqualified. Contestants who converse with or bother others will be asked to leave. About 200 staff members will be employed for the event, as well as 26 paramedics.

Anyone aged over 18 can apply to compete at CGV Theaters across the country or at www.cgv.co.kr. The deadline for applications is Feb. 15 and some 300 will be chosen by a draw on Feb. 18. Top contestants will be rewarded with cash prizes: 3 million won for first place, 2 million won for second and 1 million won for third.

On Feb. 23, the day before the marathon, there will be an online contest for guessing the record of the first prizewinner. Participants that make the closest estimates can win television sets, digital cameras, laptop computers and mp3 players.