First Korean film invited to Toronto's Platform section… Bitters End to roll out screenings from Tokyo

Poster for the film The World of Love <Barunson E&A>

Yoon Ga-eun's The World of Love opens in Japan on December 11. Japanese distribution is handled by Bitters End, with screenings beginning at venues including Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho in Tokyo before expanding to other regions in stages. The Japanese release title is Ju-in wa Ringo ga Kirai (ジュインはリンゴが嫌い), meaning "Ju-in Doesn't Like Apples."

The distributor announced the release date on September 16, unveiling one still alongside it. The World of Love was first introduced to Japanese audiences through a screening at TOKYO FILMeX last year.

Class president Ju-in's daily life unsettled by anonymous notes… How theJapanese distributor introduced Yoon Ga-eun

The World of Love begins with an offhand remark that Ju-in, a high school class president, lets slip during an argument with a classmate. From that day on, notes from an unknown sender begin arriving for Ju-in, and as she tries to carry on as usual, her relationships with those around her gradually fall out of step. Seo Su-bin plays Ju-in, with Jang Hye-jin, Kim Jeong-sik, Kang Chae-yoon, Lee Jae-hee and Kim Ye-chang also appearing.

The film was invited last year to Platform, the competitive section of the 50th Toronto International Film Festival, as the first Korean film to be selected for the section. Invitations and awards followed at more than 20 film festivals. At this year's 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards, it was nominated for Best Film in the film category, while Yoon Ga-eun won Best Director and Seo Su-bin won Best New Actress.

The Japanese distributor introduced Yoon Ga-eun as a director whose talent was recognized by Lee Chang-dong and of whom Bong Joon-ho has professed to be a fan. The introduction also included an overseas publication's assessment naming Yoon as one of the contemporary directors representing Korea.

Back to Japanese theaters, following debut feature The World of Us, which passed through Berlin and TOKYO FILMeX

Yoon Ga-eun's feature debut was The World of Us in 2016. Dealing with the relationships of ten-year-old girls, the film was selected for the Generation section of the 66th Berlin International Film Festival and won three awards at the 17th TOKYO FILMeX the same year. Yoon followed with The House of Us in 2019, continuing to look closely at the relationships of children and adolescents.

The World of Us was also released theatrically in Japan, and The World of Love now follows it in meeting Japanese audiences. How The World of Love will be received by Japanese audiences after its December 11 opening remains to be seen.

Sources

• The Seoul Shinmun, “GCA-Supported The World of Love Invited to Toronto International Film Festival's Platform Section—A First for Korea”, 2025.07.31

• SCREEN ONLINE, “A Talent Discovered by Lee Chang-dong, Adored by Bong Joon-ho! Yoon Ga-eun's Latest Film Ju-in Doesn't Like Apples Confirmed for December 11 Release”, 2026.09.16

• MOVIE WALKER PRESS, “Lee Chang-dong and Bong Joon-ho Take Notice! Yoon Ga-eun's Latest Film Ju-in Doesn't Like Apples Confirmed for December Release”, 2026.09.16

• cinemacafe.net, “Acclaimed at Film Festivals in Korea and Abroad—The World of Us Director Yoon Ga-eun's Latest Film Ju-in Doesn't Like Apples Confirmed for December Release”, 2026.09.16