Netflix may be rewriting rules for Korean cinema with 'Possible Love'Lee Chang-dong’s seventh film, "Possible Love," has been confirmed for a theatrical release, a surprising turn from widespread expectations that it would debut on Netflix. Industry observers believe the move was made with major international film festivals in mind, given Lee’s long-standing reputation as one of Korea’s most acclaimed directors on the global stage. According to the Korea Media Rating Board, "Possible Love" received an adults-only rating for directly portraying nudity and sexual acts while depicting the lives of laid-off workers, as well as themes of love, loss, trauma and the restoration of human relationships. "Possible Love" is Lee’s first film in eight years and stars Jeon Do-yeon, Sol Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong. It follows two married couples leading completely different lives whose chance encounter sets off a series of emotional entanglements. With a running time of 164 minutes, it is the longest feature Lee has directed. The project was originally conceived as a theatrical release before shifting to a Netflix-backed production while seeking finan12h agoBy Hankookilbo
'Marty Supreme' director praises Chalamet's intense performanceJosh Safdie, the director of the sports comedy movie “Marty Supreme,” expressed deep admiration for actor Timothee Chalamet, highlighting the unique combination of traits that made him perfect for the lead role. Speaking at an online press conference, Thursday, the filmmaker praised the actor for bringing a rare balance of power and innocence to the character. “One of the things that drew me to Timmy was his intensity, but his intensity was softened by a certain sort of eternal youth and a boyish wonder about the world,” Safdie said. “One of the things I did really admire about him is that he takes things very seriously, obsessively." “Marty Supreme,” which was released in theaters here on Wednesday, is set in the 1950s and follows the journey of Marty Mauser, a young man who tries to become a world champion table tennis player. To achieve his goal, he competes in underground gambling matches and performs circus-style trick shots. Safdie has built a reputation in Hollywood for his distinct filmmaking style, previously directing acclaimed titles such as “Good Time” (20172d agoBy Baek Byung-yeul
BIFAN set to open for 11-day run with record 321 filmsThe Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), Korea's largest genre film fest, will kick off its 11-day run Thursday with a record 321 films, organizers said. BIFAN, which marks its 30th anniversary this year, will take place in venues across Bucheon, west of Seoul, through July 12, according to the organizers. Under the slogan "New era, new skin," this year's event will showcase features and shorts from 50 countries, including 93 films that will make their world premiere. Opening the film fest will be prominent Hong Kong filmmaker Yuen Woo-ping's "Blades of the Guardian," an action film starring martial arts icon Jet Li. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the film fest will launch a new section called "Asian Genre Films 99," a three-year project to map the landscape of Asian genre cinema. A special section will be dedicated to French sci-fi films to mark both the film fest's 30th anniversary and the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Korea and France this year. Reflecting the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the film fest wiJul 2, 2026By Yonhap
Vietnamese actor Kaity Nguyen looks to Korean cinema as model for global success“The appeal of Vietnamese cinema lies in its diversity,” Kaity Nguyen, a 27-year-old Vietnamese actor and producer said of the local film industry as the fourth Da Nang Asian Film Festival opened in the coastal city of Da Nang, Vietnam. “From the north to central Vietnam and the south, each region has a different culture, and there is history accumulated over many years. There are so many stories to tell audiences around the world,” she told the Hankook Ilbo in an interview on Sunday. “Not only historical events but also stories about the lives of Vietnamese people today are being made more and more.” Nguyen is the festival’s youngest juror and has also moved into production. She has built a career marked by critical recognition and box-office success in Vietnam. She rose to stardom with her 2017 debut film, “Em Chua 18,” winning best actress at the Viet Film Festival. She later appeared in Blood Moon Party” in 2020, “The Last Wife” in 2023 and “Hijacked” in 2025, films that won over critics and audiences. Looking back to the year she made her debut, Nguyen sJul 2, 2026By Hankookilbo
Live-action ‘Moana’ to deliver grand ocean adventureThe live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated movie “Moana” will offer a massive and entertaining theatrical experience that is perfect for the summer season, its director Thomas Kail said Monday. "There's big laughs, there's big adventure, and we tried to make a big summer movie for you," Kail said during an online press conference. "Moana" follows the journey of a brave young girl (Catherine Laga'aia) chosen by the ocean who teams up with the legendary demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) to save her island from a terrible curse. The project has raised high expectations, especially given Kail's prestigious background as a Tony Award winner for directing the hit Broadway musical “Hamilton.” The casting process for the lead role was immensely competitive, with newcomer Laga'aia beating out tens of thousands of other young women. "Over 32,000 very talented young women submitted to play this part," Kail said. "When I saw the first tape that Katherine submitted, she was singing ‘How Far I'll Go,’ and she did two of the scenes. I just remember this feeling, and it was both in the quaJun 29, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
‘Hana Korea’ spotlights realistic journey of North Korean defectorA new cinematic collaboration between South Korea and Denmark is set to hit local theaters in July to offer an emotional and realistic look into the challenges faced by North Korean defectors settling in South Korean society. The film “Hana Korea” follows the journey of a young female defector named Hye-seon (Kim Min-ha), who strives to move forward despite facing an unfamiliar and harsh environment. The story is inspired by in-depth interviews with around 30 North Korean defectors who have settled in the South. The title of the film directly connects to Hanawon, officially named the Settlement Support Center for North Korean Refugees, where defectors stay to prepare for their new lives. The name combines the Korean word "hana," meaning one, and "won," meaning facility. This reflects the center's core mission to help defectors adapt and truly become "one" with South Korean society, explaining why the movie is called “Hana Korea.” The movie realistically portrays the struggles of immigrants through the lens of Hye-seon. While the protagonist arrives in South Korea seeking freedom,Jun 26, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean film programmer named knight of French arts and lettersNam Jong-suk, a programmer for the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), has been awarded France’s Chevalier rank in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, marking the first time a film festival programmer in Korea has received the distinction. The festival, which opens its 30th edition on Thursday, said Nam received the honor in recognition of his contributions to film programming and international cultural exchange. The French Ministry of Culture’s Order of Arts and Letters is one of the country’s highest cultural honors and is divided into three ranks: Commandeur, Officier and Chevalier. Nam’s recognition is significant because it is the first awarded to a programmer, rather than a director or performer. The French government said it decided to confer the honor in October 2025 in recognition of Nam’s work promoting Korea-France film exchange, including through the 2025 NAFF Project Market program Focus: France. Philippe Bertoux, the French ambassador to Korea, said Nam’s career has helped open new horizons and offer innovative perspectives in cinema. “The awarJun 26, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
InterviewFrom bar owner to village chief: director Lee Yu-jin’s ‘Manok’ puts middle-aged lesbian in chargeA middle-aged queer woman rarely leads Korean films, let alone cheerful political comedies set in a sleepy village. With “Manok” (2025), director Lee Yu-jin wanted to start right there — with what she calls an “imperfect hero” charging toward a “too much” happy ending. Middle-aged queer hero Lee began with a simple desire: make a queer comedy with a happy ending. Out of that goal, the idea of self-admitted “kkondae lesbian,” Manok, took shape. “Stories about young queer characters often revolve around first love or identity crisis,” she said during an interview with The Korea Times, Tuesday. “I was more interested in someone who has already lived as a queer person and now has to deal with everything else life throws at her.” Equally important was avoiding the “model minority” trap that queer characters often fall into. “I didn’t want her to be a good, exemplary person,” Lee said, mentioning that she has watched how real-life queer figures who come out publicly are often held to an unusually high moral standard. “Why do you have to be perfect just to exiJun 25, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
Seoul turns film center into permanent base camp for young directorsSeoul is betting on student directors to secure the future of its cultural exports. By transforming the Seoul Film Center into a permanent base camp equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) training tools, free workspaces and a massive 23-university film network, municipal authorities are launching a major initiative to institutionalize the independent film sector. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Wednesday a major expansion of the Seoul Film Center, positioning the newly opened facility as a permanent, fully subsidized base camp for the next generation of filmmakers. To anchor this strategy, the city will host the Film House Film Project 2026 Film Festival from Friday to Sunday, a collaborative showcase bringing together student creators from 23 universities across the nation. Operating under the slogan “Beyond the Frame: Reconstructing Romance,” the three-day event bridges the gap between raw student enthusiasm and the commercial film market. Instead of relying on isolated student showcases, the festival links student directors from major institutions — including YJun 24, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan
'Toy Story 5' tops weekend box office, dethroning 'Colony'The Hollywood animation "Toy Story 5" debuted atop the weekend box-office chart in South Korea, snapping a four-week winning streak by the Korean zombie thriller "Colony," data showed Monday. "Toy Story 5" added 713,071 admissions over the weekend, bringing its accumulated admissions to 872,553 as of Sunday, according to the data released by the Korean Film Council, which compiles admissions from Friday through Sunday for its weekend chart. "Colony," the latest in director Yeon Sang-ho's zombie thriller lineup, ranked No. 2, attracting 188,674 admissions over the weekend and logging 5,527,525 total admissions. "Wild Sing," another Korean film starring Gang Dong-won, broke the 1-million milestone, adding 133,556 admissions over the weekend and coming in at No. 3. Foreign films mostly dominated the weekend box-office chart, with only one other Korean film landing in the top 10. The Korean-Japanese supernatural horror film "The Shrine" debuted at No. 5, according to the data.Jun 22, 2026By Yonhap
