Lee Chang-dong's 'Possible Love' to hit Korean theaters ahead of Netflix releaseDirector Lee Chang-dong's upcoming Netflix original film "Possible Love" will open at Korean theaters in September before its release on the global streaming platform two months later, the streaming platform said Tuesday. The Korean film will hit selected local theaters Sept. 23 and will be made available on Netflix on Nov. 6, according to the company. "Possible Love" is Lee's first feature film in eight years following the critically acclaimed "Burning" (2018). It features a star-studded cast, including Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong. The film centers on the intertwined lives of two married couples — a laid-off worker and his wife and an affluent documentary filmmaker and her husband — and the story that unfolds as they meet. "Possible Love" will premiere at the 83rd edition of the Venice International Film Festival, scheduled for September, and later have its North American premiere at the 51st edition of the Toronto International Film Festival the same month.Jul 28, 2026By Yonhap
Korean government moves to curtail actor pay, but industry remains waryAs the Korean government unveils a new plan to rein in skyrocketing actors' fees, the initiative has been met with caution from industry officials who largely support its aim but remain uncertain whether it will prove effective in practice. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Film Council recently signed a trilateral agreement with production companies and talent agencies to place a cap on actors’ pay. Under the agreement, government-subsidized mid-budget films with net production costs between 2 billion won ($1.36 million) and 8 billion won will be encouraged to keep actors’ fees below 10 percent of those costs. The measure is based on voluntary cooperation rather than binding rules, according to government officials. To prevent the initiative from becoming a one-off measure, the government also announced plans to form a consultative body to discuss ways to improve production conditions across the film industry. The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from major talent agencies, including BH Entertainment, Management SOOP and J-Wide Company, alongJul 27, 2026By Hankookilbo
'The Journey to Gyeong-ju' takes family on road trip for revengeDirector Kim Mi-jo described her new movie "The Journey to Gyeong-ju" as a story about enduring grief and the deep strength of family love. "I was curious about how those left behind overcome the pain of loss and deal with emotional rupture. I wanted to tell a story about people who push forward until the very end," Kim said during a press conference in Seoul, Monday. “Ultimately, it is a story about intense love, and I believe it will reach anyone who has someone they love." "The Journey to Gyeong-ju" revolves around a mother, Ok-sil (Lee Jeong-eun), and her three daughters as they embark on a road trip to the historic southeastern city of Gyeongju to avenge their youngest family member, Gyeong-ju, who went missing during a school trip eight years ago. The upcoming revenge drama is Kim's commercial feature debut. She previously earned critical acclaim at domestic and international film festivals with her award-winning debut film "Gull” (2021). "The story stems from a setup where four women who have never killed even an insect set out to deliver their own justice," Kim said. "I wantedJul 27, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
'Hope' breaks 3 mil. admissions, tops weekend box officeThe sci-fi epic "Hope" extended its chart-topping run on the weekend box-office chart in Korea, drawing more than 3 million admissions since its release earlier this month, data showed Monday. The Korean film added 767,365 admissions over the weekend, bringing its total admissions to 3,415,709 as of Sunday, according to the data released by the Korean Film Council, which compiles admissions from Friday through Sunday for its weekend chart. "Hope," which competed at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival this year, follows police officers and villagers in the remote coastal town of Hopo as they become embroiled in a series of spiraling events after encountering powerful yet mysterious extraterrestrial beings. Marking director Na Hong-jin's return a decade after "The Wailing" (2016), it features a star-studded cast, including Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung and Jung Ho-yeon, as well as Hollywood actors Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander. Two other Korean films reached the top 10 on the weekend chart, with the mystery thriller "The Eyes" starring Shin Min-a ranking sixth and the zombie blockbuJul 27, 2026By Yonhap
ReviewNolan reinterprets ancient myth as deeply human drama in 'The Odyssey'Renowned director Christopher Nolan has returned to the big screen with "The Odyssey," taking on one of humanity's oldest epics and reinterpreting it into an immersive, deeply human drama. Based on Homer's ancient Greek epic poem, the 172-minute film follows Odysseus (Matt Damon) on his grueling 20-year journey back to his homeland of Ithaca after leading the Greeks to victory in the Trojan War. Along the way, Odysseus faces tough challenges from gods and monsters, including the giant Polyphemus, the witch Circe and the sea goddess Calypso. Meanwhile, back in his home of Ithaca, his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway) stands up against dangerous men trying to take his throne, while his son Telemachus (Tom Holland) struggles with growing up without a father. Nolan uses his signature nonlinear storytelling to condense the vast 20-year narrative into a tight, compelling structure. Instead of showing Odysseus as an unbeatable mythic hero, the film focuses on the mind of a lonely, tired soldier. He is driven not by victory, but by trauma and a deep longing to find redemption and return home. The dirJul 25, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
'Spirits' Homecoming' returning to theaters"Spirits' Homecoming," a widely discussed movie addressing the tragedy of Japanese military sexual slavery, is returning to theaters in an extended cut to mark its 10th anniversary, bringing renewed attention to an issue with only five surviving victims remaining. Connect Pictures, the film's distributor, said Friday that the extended version of "Spirits' Homecoming" — subtitled "Sister, Let's Go Home" in Korean — will open in theaters nationwide on Aug. 26. Directed by Cho Jung-rae, the original 2016 film was based on traumatic experiences of the late Kang Il-chul, one of the victims, and her drawing “Burning Women.” Made possible through crowdfunded donations from more than 75,000 citizens, the movie drew more than 3.58 million viewers and sparked nationwide attention upon its release. The updated 132-minute version adds six minutes of previously unreleased footage. By incorporating the stories of women from other Asian nations who suffered under the same system during World War II, the new version expands its narrative scope to emphasize cross-border solidarity and friendshipJul 24, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Lee Chang-dong's 'Possible Love' to compete at Venice film festDirector Lee Chang-dong's "Possible Love" has been officially invited to compete for the Golden Lion at this year's prestigious Venice International Film Festival. Lee's feature was included in the lineup of 20 films nominated for the main competition section at the event scheduled for Sept. 2-12, in an announcement made at a press conference Thursday. "Possible Love" is Lee's first feature film in eight years following the critically acclaimed "Burning" (2018). The Netflix film centers on the intertwined lives of two married couples -- a laid-off worker and his wife and an affluent documentary filmmaker and her husband -- and the story that unfolds as they meet. It features a star-studded cast, including Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong. The invitation marks the auteur's return to the film festival after 24 years, following the drama romance "Oasis" (2002). The film won the Silver Lion for best director and the FIPRESCI critics award, while lead actress Moon So-ri won the Marcello Mastroianni Award presented to emerging actors. In 2012, Korean director Kim Ki-duk'sJul 24, 2026By Yonhap
Yoo Ah-in signals acting return amid Galaxy contract talksActor Yoo Ah-in has fueled fresh speculation about a possible return to acting after making a rare public appearance alongside director Jang Jae-hyun at the VIP premiere of the movie "Hope." Following his career-halting drug scandal, the actor had largely stayed out of the public eye until he appeared before audience members and industry peers with Jang, prompting speculation over whether he is preparing to resume his professional career. Yoo attended the VIP screening of the movie "Hope" at Megabox Coex in Gangnam District, Seoul, on July 13. He arrived with Jang and greeted film industry executives and colleagues before the screening. The outing drew heavy media attention as his first major public appearance since the Supreme Court upheld his suspended prison sentence on charges of habitual drug use. Prosecutors indicted Yoo in 2023 on multiple drug-related charges. Investigators found that he illegally used controlled medical anesthetics, including propofol, 181 times between September 2020 and March 2022. He also fraudulently purchased roughly 1,100 sleeping pills under other peopleJul 23, 2026By Hankookilbo
'Drowning' singer Woodz joins Lee Byung-hun in historical action film from 'Exhuma' cinematographerWoodz, widely recognized for his hit song “Drowning,” is set to join the cast of a historical action film scheduled to begin shooting in the second half of the year. The singer’s participation was announced Thursday by Hive Media Corp., the production company behind the tentatively titled film “Nambeol,” or “The Southern Campaign” in English. Set in Korea during the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty era, the film is billed as a hard-boiled, wuxia-style action feature. Its story follows nine warriors of disparate social backgrounds and talents who embark on a campaign to Japan’s Tsushima Island to rescue Korean captives held by local pirate lords. Woodz will play Cheonnom, whose name literally means “firstborn,” a skilled archer who never misses his mark. He joins the perilous campaign to support his family. Devoted both to his family and his fellow warriors, Cheonnom is determined to bring every member of the expedition home alive. The film is directed by Lee Mo-gae, who previously oversaw the cinematography for “12.12: The Day,” “Exhuma,” “Hunt,” “Yadang: The SnJul 23, 2026By Hankookilbo
Chaotic grace: Na Hong-jin captivates New York with 'Hope'Long celebrated as one of East Asia’s most uncompromising genre purveyors, Korean filmmaker Na Hong-jin arrived at Lincoln Center this week to do what he does best: leave audiences entirely unnerved and thoroughly exhilarated. At the 25th New York Asian Film Festival, Na’s latest cinematic juggernaut, "Hope," held its North American premiere as the festival’s centerpiece selection. The film — a sprawling, claustrophobic thriller set in Hopohang, an isolated port town near the demilitarized zone, where local police officer Beom-seok investigates reports of a tiger, only to confront an unexplainable threat — has dominated Korea's domestic box office since its release. Following the screening Monday, Na was presented with the Daniel A. Craft Award for Excellence in Action Cinema, a prestigious honor recognizing creators who push the physical architecture of film forward. The director, celebrating his birthday on the night of the premiere, was serenaded by the audience before accepting the prize. "I find myself celebrating my birthday for a third consecutive day — before I left,Jul 23, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan
