Exciting News for Film Lovers: Lee Chang-dong Returns with Netflix’s ‘Possible Love’
In a thrilling announcement for cinema enthusiasts, renowned Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong is set to make his cinematic comeback with a new feature film titled Possible Love, produced in partnership with Netflix. This marks Lee’s first directorial project in eight years, following the success of his critically acclaimed adaptation of Haruki Murakami’s Burning.
Possible Love delves into the intricate lives of two married couples living starkly different existences. As their paths intertwine, deep-seated fractures begin to emerge in their seemingly ordinary lives. The film features the remarkable talents of Jeon Do-yeon and Sul Kyung-gu as the lead couple, Mi-ok and Ho-seok. Jeon, a celebrated actress who won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for her role in Lee’s powerful 2007 drama Secret Sunshine, reunites with Sul, who has left a lasting impression in Lee’s earlier masterpieces, including Peppermint Candy (1999) and Oasis (2002). Their on-screen chemistry is further enhanced by their previous collaborations in films such as I Wish I Had a Wife (2001), Birthday (2019), and Kill Boksoon (2023).
The second couple in Possible Love, Sang-woo and Ye-ji, will be portrayed by the talented Zo In-sung, known for his roles in Moving and Escape from Mogadishu, and Cho Yeo-jeong, who gained international fame as the wealthy wife in Parasite.
Co-written by Lee and his longtime collaborator Oh Jung-mi, who also worked on Burning, Possible Love is produced by Pine House Film, the studio behind Lee’s previous hit. Lee Chang-dong, an international favorite among cinephiles, is celebrated for his thought-provoking melodramas that explore the complexities of Korean society. His journey began as a high school teacher and evolved into a successful career as a novelist, screenwriter, and director, with his debut film Green Fish (1997) marking his arrival in the industry.
Interestingly, Lee also had a brief stint in politics as South Korea’s Minister of Culture and Tourism from 2003 to 2004, where he made an ambitious — yet ultimately unsuccessful — attempt to introduce screen quotas for independent films. In addition to his filmmaking career, last year saw the publication of his first collection of short stories translated into English, titled Snowy Day & Other Stories, with several previously featured in The New Yorker.
Despite having directed only six feature films over his three-decade career, Lee Chang-dong has received numerous accolades at major European film festivals. Notably, while he has not secured the top prizes or an Oscar nomination, his films have garnered significant recognition: Oasis won the Special Director’s Prize at the 59th Venice Film Festival, Secret Sunshine earned Best Actress at Cannes, Poetry received the Best Screenplay award at Cannes, and Burning claimed the International Critics’ Prize at the French festival.
Stay tuned for more updates on Possible Love, as Lee Chang-dong’s return promises to be a captivating exploration of love, relationships, and the human experience.
