Continuing the Korean buying spree at the AFM, Seoul-based exhibitor Megabox has snapped up two titles - romantic comedy Penelope, starring Reese Witherspoon, from Hyde Park International, and The Ramen Girl, starring Brittany Murphy, from Media 8 Entertainment.

Megabox entered acquisitionsat this year's European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin andwas acquired by a consortium headed by Australian banking group Macquarie this summer. Former owner Mediaplex, which also owns investment and distribution outfit Showbox, has been contracted to advise Megabox for two years on the chain's management and operations.

While Showbox focuses on big-ticket acquisitions, Megaboxaims to buy films targeted at Korea's large female cinema-going audience. The company acquired and released Japanese romantic drama Heavenly Forest earlier this year. It also co-distributed four titles - Factory Girl, She's The Man, 2 Days In Paris and Stage Beauty.

Megabox has 11 cinemas with 96 screens nationwide and recently opened an eight-screen multiplex in Beijing.

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