[E-Daily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] The Film Industry Alliance, composed of 15 film organizations, has urged that measures be put in place to improve the system for protecting settlement payments in connection with Megabox Joongang’s reorganization proceedings.

In an official statement released on the 8th, the Film Industry Alliance stated, “This is an issue directly linked to the production, distribution, and exhibition cycle of the film industry,” adding, “Separate protective measures must be considered within the reorganization process for small and medium-sized film businesses that have suffered significant damage.”
They continued, “We demand minimum safeguards to ensure that Megabox Joongang’s reorganization proceedings do not lead to a ripple effect of damage across the entire film industry,” adding, “The film industry’s cycle can only be maintained if the money paid by audiences is fairly distributed to the entities involved in production, import, distribution, and exhibition.”
The Film Industry Alliance demanded the following regarding Megabox Joongang’s rehabilitation proceedings: △ prompt identification and disclosure of unpaid settlement claims; △ consideration of early repayment for small and medium-sized film businesses; △ consideration of differentiated repayment plans for commercial settlement claims; △ separate management and timely payment of public interest claims; and △ legal support and liquidity assurance at the government level.
According to the statement, Megabox Joongang had previously sent official letters to each distributor stating, “Outstanding receivables incurred by June 14, 2026, constitute rehabilitation claims and are scheduled to be repaid in accordance with the future rehabilitation plan.” It is also reported that the company instructed distributors to classify settlement amounts incurred from June 1 to 14, 2026, as reorganization claims, and those incurred from June 15 to 30, 2026, as public interest claims, and to issue tax invoices accordingly.
In response, the Film Industry Alliance stated, “MegaBox Joongang’s unpaid settlement claims should not be treated mechanically as equivalent to general financial claims.” They further pointed out, “Considering that settlement receivables are commercial settlement receivables that form part of the film industry’s production, distribution, and exhibition cycle, the company should consider early repayment to small and micro film businesses and small-scale creditors, differentiated treatment under the reorganization plan, and a phased repayment plan.”
Furthermore, they emphasized, “The settlement amounts for the period from June 15 to 30, 2026—which Megabox Joongang has classified as public interest claims—must be managed separately and paid in full, distinct from the unpaid settlement amounts incurred from June 1 to 14, which have been classified as rehabilitation claims.”
The Film Industry Solidarity stated, “MegaBox Joongang’s reorganization proceedings are not merely a problem for a single company but an incident that reveals just how vulnerable the cyclical structure of the Korean film industry is,” adding, “What is needed now is a responsible reorganization process and a public response that minimizes damage to the industry community. Protecting unpaid settlement claims is the starting point.”