Anchor: Director Bong Joon-ho has opened up about the controversy surrounding his film "Okja." The Big Three theater chains in South Korea have refused to screen the film, saying simultaneous streaming goes against industry norms. Bong said he hopes the film can pave the way to set industry rules.
Our Kim In-kyung has more.
 
Report:
 
[Soundbite: “Okja” Press Conference (6/14/17)]
Actress Tilda Swinton: “I just love bringing 'Okja' home to Korea.”
 
South Korean director Bong Joon-ho and the cast of the film "Okja" discussed the movie in Seoul on Wednesday ahead of its international release at the end of this month.
 
Online streaming provider Netflix, which financed the film, decided to release "Okja" simultaneously in theaters and on its platform.
 
However, multiplexes in Seoul, which typically demand some holdback time before a movie is streamed online, have boycotted the film.
 
Bong said he hopes the controversy surrounding the film will allow the industry to set rules on such releases.
 
[Sound bite: Director Bong Joon-ho (Korean)]
"It's due to my cinematic greed. I hoped that many people would be able to see the film on the big screen. It's a Netflix movie, but I wanted it to be screened at many theaters."
 
As the Big Three theater chains have refused to screen the movie, the film will be shown in less than 100 small theaters around the country.
 
The dispute, however, has raised the film's profile. Tickets have sold out at some theaters and it is ranked in the top ten for film bookings.
 
The visit to Seoul of Hollywood stars like Tilda Swinton and Steven Yeun has also garnered attention for the film.
 
[Sound bite: Actress Tilda Swinton]
"... a great international master like director Bong, you know, he is an international superstar now."
"It is a very touching thing to be a part of this. We are all moved by the reception yesterday."
 
With megaplexes and online streaming in a tug of war, "Okja" will be released around the world on June 29th.
Kim In-kyung, KBS World Radio News.