[Edaily Starin YUN GI BACK Reporter] Director Christopher Nolan’s new film, *The Odyssey*, continues to enjoy strong box office success in its second week of release. In particular, as audiences flock to special theaters such as IMAX, tickets for prime seats at the CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall IMAX theater—known as “Yong-a-max”—have become hard to come by.

According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated computer network on the 15th, *The Odyssey* surpassed 3 million cumulative viewers on the 14th, just 10 days after its release. As of 11:00 a.m. on the 15th, advance ticket sales had exceeded 1.05 million. This marks an unusual trend, with advance ticket sales—which stood at approximately 600,000 on opening day—rising to 800,000 on the 12th and surpassing 1.05 million on the 15th.
At the center of this ticket war is IMAX. “The Odyssey” is the first feature-length film to be shot entirely with IMAX film cameras. In South Korea, CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall—which can project the 1.43:1 IMAX aspect ratio—is considered the optimal theater for the film.
The screen at Yongsan IMAX is reported to measure approximately 31 m × 22.4 m. Generally, movie theaters primarily use the horizontally wide 2.39:1 CinemaScope format and the relatively taller 1.85:1 Vista format. For the same horizontal width, the smaller the aspect ratio number, the taller the screen is relative to its width.
While standard digital IMAX uses a 1.90:1 aspect ratio, IMAX theaters like the one at Yongsan I’Park Mall that support 1.43:1 offer significantly more vertical space. Films like *Odyssey* that utilize the 1.43:1 IMAX format allow viewers to see a wider area above and below the screen compared to standard screenings, creating a stronger sense that the image fills the entire field of view.
As audiences flock to the theaters, screenings are selling out one after another as soon as tickets go on sale. As of the 15th, all screenings at Yongsan IMAX—including early morning showings—were sold out through the 25th, when tickets were last available. There have even been instances of “ticket hunting” at the theater, where people wait for last-minute cancellations right before the show. On secondhand trading platforms, scalpers are offering tickets at prices several times the face value.

◇ Where to go after “Yong IMAX”?… Attention turns to Vista-style Dolby Cinema
Does that mean there’s no way to properly enjoy *Odyssey* if you can’t get a ticket for “Yong-a-max”? The first alternative that comes to mind is Megabox Dolby Cinema.
In particular, the Dolby Cinemas at Megabox Hanam Starfield, Namyangju Hyundai Outlet Space One, and Suwon AK Plaza are known for their Vista-format screens with an aspect ratio close to 1.85:1. Among movie enthusiasts, these are respectively referred to as “Ha-Dolby,” “Nam-Dolby,” and “Su-Dolby.”
Among these, the Hanam Starfield Dolby Cinema is considered to have one of the largest screens among Dolby Cinemas in Korea. Although exact official specifications have not been disclosed, based on existing theater data, it is known to feature a massive screen over 21 meters wide. While it doesn’t quite match the approximately 31-meter-wide screen at Yongsan IMAX, it is still considerably large compared to typical multiplex theaters.
This is complemented by Dolby Vision (a video technology that enhances contrast and color reproduction) and Dolby Atmos (a three-dimensional spatial audio technology). For audiences who prioritize high contrast ratios and immersive sound over the overwhelming screen size of IMAX, this is definitely an option worth considering.

The Dolby Cinema at Hyundai Outlet Space One in Namyangju—known as “Namdolbi”—is a renowned theater among movie enthusiasts. Equipped with a large Vista-style screen, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos, it is a popular destination for audiences who make the trip from other regions, such as Seoul, whenever a major blockbuster is released. “Su-Dolbi,” the Dolby Cinema at Suwon AK Plaza, is also known as a Vista-style theater that was renovated from an existing IMAX auditorium. However, many consider its screen to be smaller than that of the Namyangju location.
Recently, as moviegoers who couldn’t secure tickets for “Yong IMAX” have turned their attention to these Dolby Cinemas, competition for the best seats has intensified. In fact, at “Ha Dolby,” “Nam Dolby,” and “Su Dolby,” most seats—excluding the front rows—have already been sold out for the Liberation Day holiday period, which runs through the 17th.
If even the Dolby Cinemas are sold out, large standard theaters could be another option. CGV Yeongdeungpo, CineQ Sindorim, and Lotte Cinema Gimpo Airport and Konkuk University Station all have theaters equipped with relatively large screens or Vista-series screens. However, since screen sizes and shapes vary by theater even within the same complex, it’s best to check which specific theater “The Odyssey” is actually playing in rather than booking based solely on the location.

◇Does a 1.85:1 screen mean the movie is also in 1.85:1?
There’s one thing to keep in mind here. Just because a theater’s physical screen is 1.85:1 doesn’t mean “The Odyssey” will necessarily be shown in 1.85:1.
The actual aspect ratio depends on the Digital Cinema Package (DCP) supplied to the theater and the screening format. Even in a theater with a 1.85:1 screen, if a 2.39:1 version is supplied, the movie may be screened in 2.39:1.
Furthermore, even if a film is screened in 1.85:1 at a standard theater, it does not mean you’ll see the exact same image as the 1.43:1 version shown at the Yongsan IMAX. If you want to see as much of the top and bottom areas that Director Nolan captured within the IMAX frame as possible, the 1.43:1 IMAX format remains the best choice.
However, Director Nolan himself recently appeared on a Korean broadcast and explained that because *Odyssey* was shot with overwhelming resolution, audiences can still enjoy the benefits of IMAX filming even in standard theaters. In other words, just because you can’t get a ticket to “Yong-IMAX” doesn’t mean you have to give up on seeing the movie altogether.
Ultimately, which theater you choose depends on your priorities. If the 1.43:1 expanded screen is your top priority, Yongsan IMAX is the way to go; if you’re also considering the film’s contrast and powerful sound, Dolby Cinema locations in Hanam, Namyangju, or Suwon could be viable alternatives. If price and accessibility are your main concerns, you can also look for a large standard theater.
There are plenty of options available without having to buy scalped tickets costing over 100,000 won each. Instead of fixating on a single seat at “Yong-IMAX,” finding a “Plan B” that suits you is another way to enjoy *The Odyssey*.