The 4D screening of Avatar uses more than 30 effects during the 3D film’s 162 minute run, including moving seats, the smoky smells of explosives, sprinkling water, laser lights and wind. “We (started to) prepared the ‘Avatar’ 4D ride last summer,” says Tom Oh, president of 20th Century Fox Korea.

Korea’s leading multiplex chain, CJ-CGV, began 4D shows last year in one 88-seat theater, with “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” But with the success of “Avatar,” CJ-CGV opened three more “4D plexes.” Ten films have been shown with 4D effects designed by CJ-CGV’s 4D programmer over the last year. Exhib has more 4D titles on tap, including the upcoming “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief.”

Why this phenomenon hasn’t started sprouted up in North America is a mystery. Maybe the American audiences aren’t interested in getting wet while they eat their extra large buckets of popcorn.