'Is There An Emergency?': Korean Woman's Reaction To India's Movie Intervals Goes Viral; Calls It Her 'Biggest Cultural Shock'

When foreigners talk about experiencing culture shock in India, the conversation often revolves around its food, bustling streets, colourful festivals or diverse traditions.

But for one Korean woman, who has been living in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, for some time, the biggest surprise came from an unlikely place – a movie theatre. What left her completely puzzled was not what was on the screen but what happened halfway through the screening.

The South Korean family content creator, named Jung Ae Um, shared that when she entered a theatre for the first time in India, she found the process exactly like what she was used to in her country.

At first, it looked almost exactly like Korea. The entrance. The ticket counter,” she said, adding that the only difference

between the two countries was the security check at the entrance.

“I Thought, Is There An Emergency?”

She continued, “The movie posters. The popcorn stand. Even the caramel popcorn, salted popcorn, and combo meals were just like back home.” However, her perception changed midway through the movie when the screen suddenly went black, the lights came on, and people began to get up from their seats.

“I sat down to watch the movie. Everything felt completely normal. Until suddenly, the screen went black. The lights turned on. People started walking out. I honestly thought, is there an emergency? But no one seemed worried,” she mentioned. “So I asked, and they said, ‘It’s intermission.’ A break in the middle of the movie.”

The revelation surprised her because movie theatres in South Korea do not have any intervals, or a scheduled break in the middle of the film, even during lengthy shows. “In Korea, even a 5-hour movie plays without a break. If you need the restroom, you quietly sneak out in the dark,” she explained.

She added that the Indian system initially felt strange but eventually won her over. “In India, you have time to use the restroom, buy more popcorn, and relax before the movie starts again,” she shared. “At first, it felt so strange. Now, I actually think India’s movie theatre system is better.” She described this incident as her “Biggest Culture Shock in India.”

Internet Reacts To Her Amusement

The video resonated with social media users, many of whom pointed out that the intermission is almost as important as the movie itself, while others found her reaction to the break amusing.

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A post shared by Jung ae Um🇰🇷 living in India🇮🇳 (@wonny_brothers)

“In most of the films they will give a cliffhanger so that people will be curious about the second half; that’s what makes it more interesting,” wrote a user.

“Even the timing of the intermission is designed to keep you hooked,” said another.

Someone else shared, “It’s business…they can make more sales…and it’s good for our back also.”

Meanwhile, an individual said, “Cultural Shock? Trust me, these theatres make money out of these intervals big time, looting people’s hard-earned money by selling sh–y food items for hefty price tags.”