DistantNews
Support us
Bare feet on cinema seats spark outrage: "Can't imagine how uneducated they are"
๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Korea /Culture & Society

Bare feet on cinema seats spark outrage: "Can't imagine how uneducated they are"

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A photo posted online shows two women with bare feet resting on the back of cinema seats, sparking debate.
  • The incident occurred in a South Korean cinema, with the women having removed both shoes and socks.
  • The controversy highlights differing views on cinema etiquette and the need for consideration among patrons.

A photograph circulating online has ignited a debate about cinema etiquette after capturing two women with their bare feet propped up on the backrests of the seats in front of them. The image, shared on the online community BoBaeDream, shows the women, who had removed both their shoes and socks, gazing at the screen with their feet exposed.

The incident has divided opinion, with some arguing that placing feet on the seats is acceptable as long as there is no one in the seats directly in front. However, a significant number of viewers find the behavior offensive and uncomfortable, citing the visual and hygienic implications of having bare feet exposed in a shared public space.

This issue of "putting feet up" in cinemas is a recurring topic on online communities and social media in South Korea. Many argue that as cinemas are multi-use facilities, a mature viewing culture that prioritizes consideration for others, taking into account both visual discomfort and hygiene, needs to be established. The debate underscores the ongoing tension between individual freedom of behavior and the collective need for respect and consideration in public spaces.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.