621 S. Western Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90005 | map |
Opened: June 11, 2010. "New Cultureplex. New Thrill." CGV at Madang was the first American
branch of the South Korean multiplex chain, CJ CGV. They also opened one in Buena Park.
The location is on
the west side of the street a half block north of Wilshire Blvd. and the
Wiltern Theatre. The photo looking south toward Wilshire is a 2016 Google Maps view. The theatre is up on the 3rd floor of the Madang Mall.
Seating: 592 in three auditoria. #1 has 286 seats, #2 and #3 are each 153.
The theatre was included in the November 26, 2023 L.A. Times story "The 27 best movie theaters in Los Angeles." They had a nice entrance view but it was of the CGV Buena Park, not this house. The comments by Justin Chang:
"For
anyone who’s spent many happy hours watching movies at CGV Cinemas’
venues in South Korea, it’s a particular pleasure to step into Los
Angeles’ Koreatown CGV branch and marvel at all the imported signature
touches: the handy seating diagrams displayed outside each of the
complex’s three auditoriums; the lobby-adjacent CineCafé, where you can
grab coffee, tea or a plated dessert before or after a movie; and the
concessions — good God, the concessions.
"To
visit CGV is to wonder why squid legs, salmon jerky and half-and-half
popcorn tubs (as in, half caramel, half sour cream and onion) haven't
become standard offerings at multiplexes across the U.S. You can still
get your M&Ms and Sour Patch Kids, of course, just as you’ll find
English-language studio and art-house movies scheduled alongside (and
often crowding out) the latest Korean dramas, comedies and thrillers."
Under CGV management the focus was on Korean films and Hollywood product with Korean
subtitles.
CGV closing: They closed the complex on September 21, 2025. The one in Buena Park also closed. In San Francisco CGV had a huge debacle with their takeover of what had been the AMC Van Ness. After a major renovation and reopening as the CGV Van Ness 14 they did terrible business. They closed that one in February 2023, taking a multi-million dollar loss.
A new operator: Regency Theatres reopened it as the Regency Koreatown on November 20, 2025
Status: It's a triplex now showing mostly Hollywood product.
Interior views:
Inside the front doors with a look toward the Cine Cafe. It's a 2014 photo by Roman Rose.
A closer look at the Cine Cafe. Photo: Jaimee J. - 2010. It's on the Yelp page for the complex along with about 280 more photos.
Part of the display wall. Photo: Giselle A. on Yelp - 2018
Another angle on the Cinema 3 entrance. Photo: Jeenee Y. on Yelp - 2016
The bar in 2010. It's a photo by Carol S. on Yelp.
A 2010 restroom shot by Jaimee J. on Yelp.
The Cinema 2 entrance. Photo: Michelle B. on Yelp - 2017
A lounge next to the Cinema 2 entrance. Photo: Rosemary L. on Yelp - 2020
A Cinema 1 entrance view taken by David A in 2016 that's on Yelp.
An auditorium photo from Albert K. on Yelp.
A photo shared by Michelle B. on Yelp.
A look to the rear of one of the houses from Jaimee J. on Yelp.
A Screen X presentation in 2017. Photo: Jennifer N. on Yelp.
More exterior views:
Looking up from the courtyard. Photo: Ann K. on Yelp - 2010
On Level 3. Photo: Aryl H. on Yelp - 2010
A 2010 entrance view appearing on Yelp.
A 2020 shot by Arleyse G. on Yelp
A 2023 entrance view from YMK Webfest.
"Now Open!" The entrance with a Regency Theatres banner out. It's a December 2025 shot by a Charlie H. that was picked up by Google Maps.
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