The viewing age for movies and video products that are not suitable for young people will be changed to 19 years or older.
According to the Korea Media Rating Board (hereinafter referred to as the Korea Media Rating Board) on the 22nd, following a partial revision (October 31, 2023) of the ‘Act on the Promotion of Film and Video Products’ (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Film and Video Act’), films will not be viewed by teenagers from the 1st of next month. And the viewing age for video content changes to 19.
Unlike the Youth Protection Act, youth under the Film and Video Act have been defined as those under the age of 18 (including students attending high school). However, last year, a bill to partially amend the Film and Video Act to make the youth age standard consistent with the Youth Protection Act was passed through the National Assembly. It passed and is scheduled to go into full effect on May 1.
In accordance with changes in youth age standards, the age limit for admission to movies that are not suitable for youth at movie theaters will be changed to 19 years or older.
Previously, even if you were an adult, if you were in high school, you were included in the category of teenagers and could not watch movies that were not suitable for teenagers. However, this revision is expected to reduce this confusion. Ratings and warnings for video products provided online such as OTT will also be changed to the age of 19.
The Korea Media Rating Board plans to strengthen the cooperation system with movie theaters (three multiplex companies) and OTT platform operators so that the changed policy can be applied well in the field, and promote public relations through social media, etc.
Detailed information about policy changes can be found in the notice on the Yeongsanghoe website.
(SBS Entertainment News Reporter Kim Ji-hye)
