Katarzyna Petru
In the hall, silence fell. As the screen illuminated the darkness, a soft gasp escaped the lips of the viewers. Every frame seemed to breathe – with a clarity, depth and contrast never before seen in cinema. The subtle emotions of the characters were visible as if on display, and even the darkest shots retained every detail.
This was the premiere of the latest generation Samsung Onyx, the world's first LED cinema screen. The technology debuted in 2017 at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Seoul, and today – after an eight-year hiatus – it returns in a revamped form at Lotte Cinema Sillim, in a hall named "Gwang-eum LED Theater." This is the seventh Lotte venue equipped with Onyx.
Image that redefines the concept of contrast
The new version of Samsung Onyx ICD (2025) does not use any projector. Each pixel generates light independently, providing perfect black, pure white, and spectacular colour depth. The absence of the "bleeding" effect ensures that brightness and colour are identical at every point on the screen – regardless of where you are in the room.
“During the darkest scenes, the eyes don’t get tired at all,” says Jeonghyeon Yoon, who watched a popular animation in the new cinema. “The movement of the characters was so smooth that it was hard to look away.”
Meanwhile, the producer of the film Flow, Matīss Kaža (Golden Globe and Oscar® winner for Best Animated Feature), admits:
“On the Onyx screen, even the smallest details become visible. It’s these details that build the atmosphere and emotions of the scene.”
It’s no wonder Pixar collaborates with Samsung to master its films – like Elemental, Inside Out 2, or Elio – in 4K HDR format tailored for Onyx screens.
Gigantic screen that transforms space
The new screen at Lotte Cinema Sillim measures 11.52 metres wide and 6.3 metres high – that's 30% more than the standard model. Thanks to its modular LED construction, Samsung was able to customise it to fit the dimensions of the auditorium, creating the impression that the image completely surrounds the viewer.
“The action scenes were incredibly sharp, and the colours were more saturated than on any other screen” – recounts viewer Eunjeong Lim.
“Even the subtitles looked crystal clear, with no blurriness” – adds Byeongrok Kang.
The new Onyx ICD also offers brightness up to 300 nits – six times more than a traditional cinema projector. This means screenings can take place even with partial auditorium lighting, paving the way for completely new applications: live concerts, sports broadcasts, or cinema dinners.
Cinema That Engages All the Senses
“At concerts, ChooseTV literally brings the stage light to life” – explains Jinha Jeong from Lotte Cultureworks. – “Combined with powerful sound, the immersion is absolute.”
Representatives from Lotte add that Onyx LED has already become a brand signature. Viewers increasingly say that some films “must be watched on Onyx.”
“It’s not just about the technology” – emphasises Yongseop Yoon from Lotte Cultureworks. – “We want the viewer to feel the emotions of the film in their purest form. Onyx allows us to achieve that.”
Technical Data Samsung Onyx ICD (2025)
Feature | Value |
|---|---|
Maximum Brightness | 300 nits |
Resolution | 4K HDR |
Technologies | LED without projector, HDR10+, deep black |
Available Widths | 5 m / 10 m / 14 m (configurable) |
Latest Installation | Lotte Cinema Sillim (Seoul) |
Additional Uses | Cinema, concerts, sports, live events |
Return of the Magic of Cinema
In a time when the boundary between cinematic releases and streaming is becoming increasingly blurred, Samsung Onyx reminds us why cinema is special. The depth of colour, contrast, and sense of reality ensure that every scene captivates the viewer completely.
“The action was so intense that I felt like I was in the middle of the film” – says Lim. – “After such a screening, you don't want to go back to a regular screen.”
New generations of audiences are still searching for cinemas that offer something more – real emotions and a sense of participation. And that's exactly what Samsung Onyx provides: not just an image, but an experience that redefines the very concept of cinema.
Samsung Onyx 2025 is not just another evolution of cinema technology – it’s a new definition of cinema. Instead of light projected by a projector, viewers receive an image generated by light itself.
The effect? Incredible depth, realism, and emotions that simply must be seen to be believed.
