Katarzyna Petru
In the hall, silence fell. As the screen illuminated the darkness, a quiet awe escaped the viewers' lips. Each frame seemed to breathe – with a perfect sharpness, depth, and contrast never before seen in cinema. The subtle emotions of the characters were visible as if written in the palm of a hand, and even the darkest shots retained every detail.
This was the premiere of the latest generation Samsung Onyx, the world's first cinema LED screen. The technology debuted in 2017 at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Seoul, and today – after an eight-year hiatus – it returns in a modernised form at Lotte Cinema Sillim, in a hall named “Gwang-eum LED Theater.” This is the seventh Lotte venue equipped with Onyx.
An image that redefines the concept of contrast
The new version of Samsung Onyx ICD (2025) does not use any projector. Each pixel generates its own light, resulting in perfect black, pure white, and spectacular colour depth. The absence of the 'bleed-through' effect ensures that brightness and colour are consistent across every point on the screen – regardless of where you are in the auditorium.
"During the darkest scenes, my eyes didn't tire 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 (winner of a Golden Globe and an Oscar® for Best Animated Feature), admits:
"On the Onyx screen, even the smallest details become visible. It is these details that build the atmosphere and emotions of the scene."
It is no coincidence that Pixar collaborates with Samsung to master its films – such as Elemental, Inside Out 2, and Elio – in 4K HDR format tailored for Onyx screens.
Gigantic screen that transforms the 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 Samsung's modular LED design, it has been customised 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” – says viewer Eunjeong Lim.
“Even the subtitles appeared crystal clear, with no blurriness” – adds Byeongrok Kang.
The new Onyx ICD also offers brightness of up to 300 nits – six times more than a traditional cinema projector. This allows screenings to take place even with partial lighting in the auditorium, opening the door to entirely new applications: live concerts, sports broadcasts, and cinema dinners.
Cinema that can be felt with all senses
"During concerts, LED literally delivers the light of the stage" – explains Jinha Jeong from Lotte Cultureworks. – "In combination 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 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 Applications | Cinema, concerts, sports, live events |
The Return of the Magic of Cinema
In an age where the boundary between cinema releases and streaming is becoming increasingly blurred, Samsung Onyx reminds us why cinema is special. The depth of colours, contrast, and sense of reality make every scene fully captivate the viewer.
“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 viewers continue to seek cinemas that offer something more – true emotions and a sense of participation. And this is exactly what Samsung Onyx provides: not just an image, but an experience that redefined the very concept of cinema.
Samsung Onyx 2025 is not another evolution of cinema technology – it is a new definition of cinema. Instead of light cast by a projector, the viewer receives an image generated by light itself.
The effect? Incredible depth, realism, and emotions that simply must be seen to be believed.
