Korean Film Biz Zone - Korean Film News

Lotte Cultureworks Teams With Japan’s Toei to Co-Produce Vietnamese-Language Films

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Lotte Cultureworks, the film affiliate of South Korea’s Lotte Group, is partnering with Japanese studio Toei and its own local subsidiary, Lotte Entertainment Vietnam, to make Vietnamese-language films. The three companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Oct. 13 to jointly plan, develop and produce Vietnamese films. Under the agreement, they will explore licensing and adapting each company’s intellectual property (IP) into Vietnamese-language features. They will also pursue investment and distribution partnerships in Vietnam and in international markets. Japan’s Nikkei reported on the deal on Oct. 21, presenting it as Toei’s entry into the Vietnamese market.Lotte Cultureworks entered Vietnam in 2008 and has invested in, produced and distributed local films there ever since. It also runs more than 40 theaters in the country through its Lotte Cinema chain. Lotte Entertainment Vietnam has become one of the country’s leading investor-distributors, with local hits includ

Netflix Marks 10 Years in Korea as Ted Sarandos Calls the Country a Partner for the Future

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Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos at an event markingthe 10th anniversary of Netflix’s service in Korea. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos visited Korea to mark the 10th anniversary of the streamer’s Korean service, calling the country a valued partner in building the company’s future. Speaking at an anniversary event, Sarandos said stories that began in Korea have been embraced across every border and language barrier, and that Korea is where Netflix learned how far a single story can travel. He added that the next 10 years would open up possibilities the company has yet to imagine.Since launching in Korea in 2016, Netflix has blurred the lines between film, drama and unscripted programming in the country, reshaping its production ecosystem from financing through post-production.During the visit, Sarandos met separately with Lee and Hong to congratulate them on their recent achievements. Lee’s Possible Love, his first project with Netflix, won the Silver Lion Grand Jury

Yeon Sang-ho’s ‘Paradise Lost’ Recoups Net Production Budget Through Presales to 118 Countries and Territories

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Poster for Paradise Lost. Yeon Sang-ho’s Paradise Lost has earned more than its net production budget of about 500 million won through presales to 118 countries and territories, all before its domestic release. The figures come from overseas sales results that distributor CJ ENM released on Oct. 19. That means the film earned back its production cost from international sales alone before it opened in Korean theaters. An official from CJ ENM’s international distribution team said the film’s story about the universal emotions of family and motherhood is “resonating across nationalities and cultures and drawing strong interest in overseas markets.”Ryu So-young (Kim Hyun-joo) lost her son nine years ago when a camping school bus disappeared. Since then she has lived with a version of him re-created by an artificial intelligence (AI) program. Paradise Lost is a psychological thriller that follows So-young’s turmoil when her son, Ryu Seon-woo (Bae Hyun-sung), whom she believed

‘Dora’ Director July Jung Receives France’s Order of Arts and Letters at French Night Marking 140 Years of Korea-France Ties

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A still from Possible Love. July Jung, director of Dora, has been named a Chevalier of France’s Order of Arts and Letters (Ordre des Arts et des Lettres). The insignia was presented on Oct. 10 at the 2026 French Night, hosted by the Embassy of France in Korea at Paradise Hotel Busan. The embassy announced the honor on Oct. 14.The French Ministry of Culture awards the Order of Arts and Letters for creative achievement in the arts and culture or for contributions to the arts and culture of France and the world. The order has three grades: Chevalier, Officier and Commandeur. The embassy organizes the French Night to foster exchange between Korean and French filmmakers. This year it was held during the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. About 150 filmmakers from Korea and France attended, including Korean Film Council (KOFIC) Chairperson Han Sang-jun and BIFF Chairm

KOFIC Chairperson Visits the Set of Salgi Joeun Jip, a Mid-Budget Production Support Film

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-Chairperson Han Sang-jun visits the set of the new film by director Um Tae-hwa, a graduate of the Korean Academy of Film Arts-The film approaches a realistic subject from a new perspective, starring Hwang Jung-min, Hong Xa-bin and others-KOFIC to pursue approximately KRW 24.9 billion in mid-budget Korean film production support in 2027“Supporting Korean Films with Fresh Perspectives through Production Support”On October 29, Korean Film Council (KOFIC) Chairperson Han Sang-jun visited the set of Salgi Joeun Jip (working title; produced by Barunson E&A) in Daejeon and held a meeting with the production team and cast. The film was selected for the 2026 Supplementary Budget Mid-Budget Korean Film Production Support Program.KOFIC has run the Mid-Budget Korean Film Production Support Program since 2025. The program aims to restore the Korean film ecosystem, which has struggled with a prolonged investment slump since COVID-19. It also aims to attract private investment by encouraging new

Korean Film Industry Q3 2026 Results

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-Cumulative 2026 revenue reached KRW 1.0007 trillion and admissions 96.89 million, up 35.9% and 28.8% year-on-year, respectively-In Q3, The Odyssey ranked No. 1 at the overall box office, and the animated film David ranked No. 1 among independent and art-house films“Theater Revenue Tops KRW 1 Trillion from January to September 2026, the Highest for the Period Since the Pandemic”Theater revenue tops KRW 1 trillion from January to September 2026, the highest for the period since the pandemicCumulative total revenue for January–September 2026 reached KRW 1.0007 trillion, with 96.89 million admissions. This is an increase of 35.9% (KRW 264.6 billion) and 28.8% (21.69 million) year-on-year, respectively. Last year, revenue passed KRW 1 trillion and admissions passed 100 million only in December. This year, revenue crossed KRW 1 trillion within three quarters and admissions are nearing 100 million, the highest revenue and admissions for the period since the COVID-19 pandemic.In Q

Venice Grand Jury Prize Winner ‘Possible Love’ Named Best Film at Korean Film Critics’ Awards

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A still from Possible Love. Lee Chang-dong’s Possible Love has been named Best Film at the 46th Korean Association of Film Critics (KAFC) Awards, and Jeon Do-yeon will receive Best Actress for her role in the film. A month after winning the Grand Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival in September, the film has also been chosen by Korean critics as the year’s best.The Korean Association of Film Critics considered films released between October 2025 and September 2026. After a preliminary round of member voting and a final deliberation on Oct. 16, it announced the winners in each category on Oct. 19, along with its annual list of the year’s 10 best films. Best Director went to Na Hong-jin for Hope, which also won Best Actor for Zo In-sung and Best Cinematography for Hong Kyung-pyo.From Venice to Korea’s Critics: The Path of ‘Possible Love’Possible Love is Lee’s first feature in eight years, following Burning (2018). In the film, a lai

Netflix and KOFIC to Train 100 Korean Filmmakers in Global Planning and Production

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Promotional notice for the global capacity-building program on Netflix’s global strategy and production. Netflix and the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) will hold a global capacity-building program on Nov. 10 at the Cinematheque of the Korean Film Archive (KOFA) for about 100 working film and video professionals and aspiring filmmakers. The instructors are Netflix staff who handle content planning and production, and they will share the development strategies and production experience the company has built up in the global market.The program is part of a talent development memorandum of understanding that Netflix first signed with KOFIC and the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) in 2023 and has now maintained for four years. Applicants must have studied film or video or have professional experience in the field, and applications are open through Oct. 28 on the KAFA website (www.kafa.ac).From ‘Local First’ Development to How Netflix ProducesThe program consists of two lect

After The Hollywood Reporter, Variety Names Na Hong-jin to Its Genre Report

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Director Na Hong-jin of Hope*. *Director Na Hong-jin has been named to Variety’s 2026 Horror Impact Report. The U.S. trade published the report on Oct. 7 (local time), featuring Na as one of its key figures.The report covers filmmakers and executives working in horror film and television along with broader trends in the genre business, and this is its second edition. This year’s list includes Na alongside Robert Eggers, James Wan, Mike Flanagan, Sam Raimi and Ryan Murphy.Action-Thriller Speed With Horror Shocks: Variety’s Read on NaVariety described Na’s films as combining the momentum of the action thriller with the jolt of horror. The trade noted that he made his name at home with his 2008 feature debut, The Chaser, before broadening his standing abroad with The Yellow Sea (2010) and The Wailing (2016), singling out The Wailing as a film that resonated strongly with genre audiences. It characterized Hope, his first feature in a decade, as an action horror

Bong Joon-ho's 'Ally,' Made by Crews From 12 Countries, to Open in July 2027

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Director Bong Joon-ho's animated feature Ally. Ally, an animated feature directed by Bong Joon-ho, will open in Korean theaters in July 2027. Production company Barunson C&C announced the schedule on Oct. 9. France is the only overseas market with a confirmed date, July 14, and a theatrical release is also planned in the United States.Barunson C&C oversaw the production, and crews from 12 countries including Korea, France and Britain worked on the film. The Korean investment came from the Penture K-Content Fund, which CJ ENM and Penture Invest operate jointly.Jason Yu Co-Wrote the Script, With CJ ENM, Penture Invest and NEON Handling DistributionThe story begins in an undersea canyon where deep-sea creatures who long for the human world live together. The title character, Ally, is a piglet squid who dreams of seeing the sun with her own eyes and appearing on television. When an aircraft crashes into the sea, Ally and her friends are thrown into danger and set out

After Busan, Seoul Meets the Future of AI Film Education

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–2026 AI Film Showcase to be held at the Seoul Film Center on October 21- AI film education works from four institutions, including the Korean Academy of Film Arts, brought together in one place-Broadening the foundation for cooperation in filmmaker training and public film education in the AI eraThe Korean Film Council (KOFIC, Chairman Han Sang-jun) will host the "2026 AI Film Showcase" at the Seoul Film Center on Wednesday, October 21, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.The event carries forward to Seoul the achievements of the "2026 KOFIC AI Showcase," held October 9–11 during the 31st Busan International Film Festival. Following Busan, where AI filmmaking was explored across technology, creation, and education, the Seoul edition will screen works produced through AI production training programs of major film and media institutions and share the process behind each work's completion.The showcase will screen AI films produced through the AI film education programs of four institutions:

Busan Festival Closes as Majid Majidi’s ‘Midday Meal’ Takes First Oscar-Qualifying Busan Award

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Actor Yim Si-wan hosts the closing ceremony of the 31st Busan International Film Festival. The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) wrapped its 10-day run with a closing ceremony on Oct. 15. The Busan Award for Best Film, the top prize in the Competition section, went to Iranian director Majid Majidi’s Midday Meal. This was the first year the Best Film winner became eligible for submission to the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, making Midday Meal the first title to take that route.This year’s festival was also the first held since the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) overhauled its accreditation system. FIAPF merged its four previous categories, including competitive and non-competitive festivals, into a single list, and named Busan one of 17 A-list festivals alongside Cannes, Berlin and Venice. In 1997, BIFF became the first Korean film festival to receive FIAPF accreditation. The Competition section

KOFIC Co-Hosts American Film Night in Busan with MPA and The Hollywood Reporter

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Actress Han Ji-min with guests at the MPA X THR X KOFICAmerican Film Night reception The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) co-hosted the MPA X THR X KOFIC American Film Night on October 7 on the 33rd floor of Park Hyatt Busan, together with the Motion Picture Association (MPA) and U.S. entertainment trade publication The Hollywood Reporter (THR). The event took place during the 31st Busan International Film Festival.Earlier the same day at the same venue, the MPA Creative Conversation Forum opened at 4 p.m. The forum consisted of a moderated conversation followed by an audience Q&A, after which a networking reception for Korean and American film industry figures ran until 9:30 p.m. The event was organized to examine developments in the global content industry together and to broaden the network between film professionals in the two countries, with the aim of advancing both nations’ film industries. KOFIC has partnered on the ev

The Song of Trees Takes Prix Italia TV Documentary Prize, a First for a Korean Work

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Director Jin Jae-woon at the 78th Prix Italia awards ceremony ⟨Courtesy of Jin Jae-woon⟩Director Jin Jae-woon’s documentary film The Song of Trees was named the winner of the TV Documentary competition at the 78th Prix Italia, held in L’Aquila, Italy, on October 2 local time. It is the first time a Korean work has taken the main prize in this category.Founded in 1948, Prix Italia is an international broadcasting award organized by RAI, Italy’s public broadcaster. This year, 83 broadcasting organizations from 52 countries submitted 226 entries. Three titles advanced to the final round in the TV Documentary category; the other two were The Talented Mr F, entered by Germany’s ARD, and November 13, Sonia’s Choice, entered by France Télévisions.An 88-year-old Korean woman growing a forest in Nicaragua, and the director’s responseThe Song of Trees follows the life of an 88-year-old Korean woman who has planted one million trees in Nicaragua, Central America. The subject studied biology and b

Indieground Announces 90 Final Selections for the 2027 Independent Film Library

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–A record 1,070 submissions received for works completed after January 2025– A total of90 films (22 features, 68 shorts) selected to receive distribution support grantsIndieground, established by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC; Chairperson Han Sang-jun) to improve the distribution environment for Korean independent and art-house films, has announced the 90 final selections (22 features and 68 shorts) for the “2027 Independent Film Library.”Indieground’s Independent Film Library is a program designed to build a sustainable distribution structure for Korean independent and art-house films and, through it, to broaden their audience base. This year’s open call drew strong interest, receiving a record 1,070 submissions (167 features and 903 shorts). The call was open to works completed after January 2025 (based on the date of first screening, or the release date for theatrically released films), and the final 90 films (22 features and 68 shorts) were chosen following review by the sele

Korea AI Content Awards Draws 1,528 Entries from 87 Countries, Adds Mid-Length Competition

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2026 Korea AI Content Awards (provided by Gyeonggi Province)Competitions for films made with generative AI are multiplying in Korea, in both the public and private sectors. The largest of them opens this week. The 2026 Korea AI Content Awards (KAICA), hosted by Gyeonggi Province and organized by the Gyeonggi Content Agency, will hold its awards ceremony and industry forum at Lotte Cinema Suwon on Oct. 15 and 16. Now in its third edition, the competition drew 1,528 entries from 87 countries and territories, its largest intake to date. When the event launched in 2024 as the Korea International AI Film Festival it received 535 entries; last year it drew 1,105 from 71 countries. Entries have nearly tripled in two years. Twenty titles advanced to the finals — six in mid-length competition, 12 in short competition and two for the Nam June Paik Special Award — and 11 of them will receive prizes.The headline change this year is the new mid-length competition. The call had previously been built

Busan's Top Prize Opens a Direct Path to the Academy's International Feature Race

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BIFF Chairman Park Kwang-su delivers opening remarks at the press conferencefor the 31st Busan International Film Festival on September 1. The 31st Busan International Film Festival opened on October 6 and runs through October 15. It is the first edition to be held since the festival was designated an A-list event by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). Starting this year, the winner of the Busan Award for Best Film, the top honor in the competition section, becomes eligible to be submitted for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film in the United States.This year's edition has officially invited works from 59 countries, 95 of which will be unveiled as world premieres. The opening film is Kim Jong-kwan's The Table: Day and Night, which follows four couples who pass through a single café over the course of a changing season.Korean films in competition: Beach Fictions, Shaving, Long Long NightThe competition section,

‘The Intern’ Remake Gives Korea Its First Box Office No. 1 in 50 Days

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'The Intern' (provided by Warner Bros. Korea and Anthology Studios)Choi Min-sik and Han So-hee's "The Intern," directed by Kim Do-young, topped the Korean box office in its opening weekend. According to the Korean Film Council's integrated ticketing system, the film drew approximately 275,000 admissions between Sept. 18 and 20, pushing Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" into second place after a 40-day run at the top. It is the first time in 50 days that a Korean film has reclaimed the number one position. The title that did it, however, is a Korean-language remake of a 2015 Hollywood release. In a market long dominated by foreign titles, the fact that the domestic comeback arrived by way of a localized imported IP makes this more than a routine change at the top of the chart.Released on Sept. 16, "The Intern" has reached a cumulative 404,000 admissions. Its weekend revenue share stood at 26.0 percent, lower than the 30.7 percent recorded by "The Odyssey" despite trailing in admissions

RioMarket Designates Day Two as ‘South Korea Day’

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RioMarket and festival posters. < Jaekyung Ilbo >RioMarket, the industry arm of the 28th Festival do Rio, has designated October 2 (local time) — the second day of the festival — as "South Korea Day," programming a full slate of sessions devoted to the Korean audiovisual industry. Seminars, a Korea–Brazil producer networking event and a Korean film screening were bundled into a single day's schedule. RioMarket has also allocated the final two days of its free screening program, which runs throughout the event, to Korean films.Festival do Rio runs from October 1 to 11 in Rio de Janeiro. This year's lineup includes films submitted by 16 countries as their entries for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. RioMarket runs alongside the festival from October 1 to 10.A day built around seminars, networking and screeningsThe "South Korea Day" seminar program opens with a session explaining the structure and financing mechanisms of the Korean audiovisual market, followed

19 KOFIC-Supported Films Officially Invited to the 31st Busan International Film Festival

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–19 films invited across major sections, including Competition, Gala Presentation, Vision and Wide Angle– Five Korean Academy of Film Arts titles invited… feature Beach Fictions selected for Competition- KOFIC support continues to bear fruit, from mid-budget Korean films to independent and art filmsA total of 19 films supported by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC; Chairman Han Sang-jun) have been officially invited to the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).KOFIC-supported films will meet audiences at the 31st BIFF, running from October 6 to 15. The 19 invited titles include works backed by the Mid-Budget Korean Film Production Support program, designed to revitalize Korean film production and restore a virtuous cycle in the industry; the Independent and Art Film Production Support program, which discovers fresh and original works and helps foster a stable creative environment; the Korean Film Next Project Development Support program, which helps production companies

Yeon Sang-ho's Paradise Lost Holds World Premiere in TIFF Special Presentations

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Actress Kim Hyun-joo (from left), director Yeon Sang-ho and actor Bae Hyun-sung on the red carpet for the world premiere of Paradise Lost. Yeon Sang-ho's Paradise Lost held its world premiere in the Special Presentations section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival. The first official screening took place on Sept. 13 local time. Yeon and lead actors Kim Hyun-joo and Bae Hyun-sung walked the red carpet ahead of the screening, where the three signed autographs and posed for photographs with fans who had gathered at the venue.Paradise Lost was allotted four official screenings over the course of the festival, across roughly 2,300 seats. Every one of those seats sold out as soon as tickets went on sale ahead of the world premiere. The first screening was followed by a Q&A session with the audience.A Son Long Missing Returns After Nine Years — International Outlets Focus on Kim Hyun-joo and Bae Hyun-sungParadise Lost is a psychological thriller that begins with

Yoon Ga-eun's The World of Love Confirmed for December 11 Japan Release

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Poster for the film The World of Love 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-eunThe 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 tho

Hur Jin-ho's The Assassin(s) World-Premieres in TIFF's Gala Presentations

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The Assassin(s) poster Hur Jin-ho's The Assassin(s) held its world premiere in the Gala Presentations section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival. The first official screening took place on September 16 local time at Roy Thomson Hall, the festival's main venue. Hur Jin-ho walked the red carpet ahead of the screening alongside Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il and Lee Min-ho.Four public screenings of The Assassin(s) were scheduled over the course of the festival, and all 4,256 seats sold out. A press screening was held ahead of the official premiere, and international reviews began appearing after that screening.A Manhunt for the Missing Shots of 1974 — Response from International Press and the FestivalThe Assassin(s) is a mystery thriller built around the shooting of First Lady Yuk Young-soo on August 15, 1974. The film takes as its starting point a single unresolved question: six shots were fired at the scene, yet only four bullets were recovered.

People with and without Disabilities, Young and Old Come Together: KOFIC Hosts Successful “Gachibom Generations Together Special Screening”

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- Korean closed-caption (CC) Gachibom version of The Intern screened at CGV Yeouido on September 22- Ahead of Chuseok, audiences shared the meaning of barrier-free cultural togetherness, laughing and empathizing together through film- National Assembly member Kim Seung-soo and key figures from the film industry and related organizations attended, adding significance to the occasionThe Korean Film Council (KOFIC, Chairperson Han Sang-jun) successfully held the “Gachibom Generations Together Special Screening” on the evening of Tuesday, September 22, at CGV Yeouido, where people with and without disabilities, as well as young people and seniors, watched a film together.Organized ahead of Chuseok, Korea’s major national holiday, the event was designed to spread the meaning of “barrier-free cultural togetherness,” in which people with and without disabilities watch films together and younger and older generations share the common experience of cinema. National Assembly member Kim Seun

Na Hong-jin’s Hope Opens at No. 8 at the North American Box Office

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Still from the film HOPE Na Hong-jin's HOPE opened at No. 8 at the North American box office in its first weekend. Over the three days from the 11th through the 13th local time, the film grossed approximately $3.31 million, placing behind Buddy at No. 6 and Insidious: Out of the Further at No. 7.HOPE opened on 1,560 screens across North America on the 9th local time. Cumulative revenue from its opening day through the 13th stands at approximately $5.01 million. Figures are based on Box Office Mojo. Over the same period, the No. 1 title for the North American weekend was Practical Magic 2, which recorded about $30 million.A Tiger in Hope Harbor - Starring Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung and HoyeonHOPE is a sci-fi action film set in a port village adjacent to the Demilitarized Zone. The story begins when Bum-seok, the police officer heading the Hope Harbor substation, receives a report from local young men that a tiger has appeared. Hwang Jung-min

KAFA Marks 20th Anniversary of Its Feature Film Program with 25 Short Films at Gimhae International Airport

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–The Airport Cinema Club runs from Tuesday, September 22 through Monday, October 19–Short films by KAFA alumni directors including Bong Joon-ho, Jang Joon-hwan, Choi Dong-hoon and Lee Ok-seop–Free and open to all visitors, whether or not they are catching a flight

Lee Chang-dong's "Possible Love" Wins Grand Jury Prize at Venice International Film Festival

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Director Lee Chang-dong, winner of the Grand Jury Prize for the film "Possible Love," poses at the closing ceremony of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival,held in Venice, Italy, on the 12th (local time). Lee Chang-dong's "Possible Love" has won the Grand Jury Prize in the competition section of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. Lee received the Silver Lion trophy at the closing ceremony held at the Palazzo del Cinema on Lido island in Venice, Italy, on the 12th, local time.The Grand Jury Prize is the official award ranked immediately below the Golden Lion, the festival's top honor. "Possible Love" had earlier also received the FIPRESCI Prize. Awarded outside the festival's official prize structure, the FIPRESCI Prize is an independent critics' award selected and presented by a separate jury of critics belonging to the International Federation of Film Critics; it was announced on the 12th via the federation's website.Two Couples Enta

"The Future of Film Policy: Listening to Voices from the Field" — KOFIC Conducts Demand Survey for 2027 Film Policy Research Projects

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-KOFIC to accept proposals for film policy research topics from the 18th through October 16-Broad participation from the film community, related organizations, and researchers sought to identify practical policy researchThe Korean Film Council (KOFIC, Chairperson Han Sang-jun) is conducting a "Demand Survey for 2027 Film Policy Research Projects" from September 18 to October 16 to identify research topics needed in the film industry and in the field of policy practice.The survey has been organized to gain a broad understanding of the changing environment surrounding the film industry and the diverse policy needs arising from the field, and to translate these into research projects that can be applied to actual policy. Participation is open to anyone — including professionals and researchers working in the film industry, related organizations, associations and groups, and members of the general public with an interest in film policy and research.Proposals may cover matters requiring pol

Special Committee for the Sustainable Development of Korean Cinema to Hold Public Hearing on Audiovisual Content Governance

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–To be held Tuesday, September 22, at 2:00 p.m. in Theater 1 of Cinematheque KOFA, Korean Film Archive–Discussion of policy and industry issues in audiovisual content under the theme "Rethinking Governance for Film, Drama and Series in the Platform Era"–Nine industry experts from the film, broadcasting and platform sectors to take part in presentations, a panel discussion and a Q&A sessionThe Special Committee for the Sustainable Development of Korean Cinema (co-chaired by Han Sang-jun and Kim Jho Gwangsoo; hereafter "the Special Committee") announced that it will hold a public hearing on audiovisual content governance on Tuesday, September 22, at 2:00 p.m. in Theater 1 of Cinematheque KOFA at the Korean Film Archive.Held under the theme "Rethinking Governance for Film, Drama and Series in the Platform Era," the hearing has been organized to examine the audiovisual content industry as it shifts toward a platform-centered environment, and to hear views from the field on the directio

Oscar-Qualifying Busan Returns at Largest Scale Since 2019

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A poster for the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) / Courtesy of BIFFThe 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) runs Oct. 6 to 15 at the Busan Cinema Center and surrounding venues. This is the first edition since the International Federation of Film Producers Associations named Busan one of its 17 A-list festivals, and the first in which the top prize carries awards-season weight. The winner of the Busan Award for Best Film now qualifies for submission in the Academy Awards' Best International Feature Film category, placing Busan among the six festivals that confer that status alongside Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Sundance and Toronto. The official selection totals 246 films from 59 countries, the largest since 2019. Festival director Jung Han-seok told a press conference on Sept. 1 that Busan's international standing had risen sharply.Competition, and a First for AnimationThe Competition section, launched last year, fields 14 titles competing for the Busan Award. Korean

Park Chan-wook Returns to Extreme Violence With $60M Hollywood Western

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Lee Byung-hun Park Chan-wook has described his next film as the most violent work of his career. Speaking on August 29 at Seoul Art Cinema, during a special screening marking the 20th anniversary of "I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK," the director said the project contains more brutal scenes than anything he has made. He added that it is also a film about guilt and love.The film in question is "The Brigands of Rattlecreek," Park's first English-language feature since "Stoker" in 2013 and his first Western. The declaration signals a deliberate reversal. Park's two most recent films, "Decision to Leave" and "No Other Choice," both carried Korea's 15-and-over rating, a restrained register by his standards. He now appears to be returning to the intensity that defined "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance," "Oldboy" and "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance."The story follows a sheriff and a doctor who pursue a gang of bandits after the group uses the cover of a torrential thunderstorm to rob and ter

Lee Chang-dong Named Mill Valley Auteur Award Recipient

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Poster for Possible Love Lee Chang-dong has been selected as the recipient of the Auteur Award at the 49th Mill Valley Film Festival. He is the first Korean filmmaker to receive the honor. In announcing the selection on September 3, Netflix also revealed that Lee's new feature, Possible Love, has been invited to the festival's Spotlight program.Launched in 1977 and organized by the California Film Institute, the Mill Valley Film Festival is held each October in Mill Valley, California. Its programming centers on independent films, art-house cinema, and documentaries. The Auteur Award recognizes a filmmaker's sustained creative vision and achievements in cinema, while Spotlight is a program that introduces new work by artists who have built a distinctive body of work.Two Couples Drawn Together by a Documentary ShootPossible Love follows two married couples whose lives become entangled through a documentary shoot. Ho-seok, a laid-off worker, and his wife Mi-ok, along with

Record-High KRW 25.77 Billion in Support: 16 Korean Films Selected for 2026 Supplementary-Budget Mid-Budget Korean Film Production Support

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-KRW 25.77 billion in production support to be provided to 16 mid-budget Korean films selected under the 2026 supplementary budget-Eight projects by first-time directors selected, accounting for 50% of the total and exceeding the program’s minimum 30% quotaThe Korean Film Council (KOFIC, Chairperson Han Sang-jun) has selected 16 projects for the 2026 supplementary-budget Mid-Budget Korean Film Production Support Program and will provide a total of KRW 25.77 billion in funding.The Mid-Budget Korean Film Production Support Program was launched by KOFIC in 2025 to promote the production of mid-budget films, which play a central role in the Korean film industry, and to encourage private investment in order to establish a virtuous cycle across the industry.The program began with a budget of KRW 10 billion in 2025 and was expanded to KRW 19.86 billion under the 2026 main budget. Its funding scale has now been further increased through the supplementary budget.&n

Squid Game's Hwang Dong-hyuk Returns to Cinema with Sci-Fi Thriller 'K.O. Club'

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Lee Byung-hun After the Netflix Phenomenon, Hwang Dong-hyuk Chose the Big ScreenWhat Hwang Dong-hyuk would do after Squid Game had been the most closely watched question in Korean content. Speculation ran in every direction: would the creator of one of Netflix's most-watched series ever stay with streaming, move to Hollywood, or take another route altogether? The answer was cinema.On August 27, production company Firstman Studio unveiled the cast of Hwang's new feature K.O. Club and confirmed that shooting will begin in the first half of 2027. A science-fiction thriller set in the near future, the film is written by Hwang himself and stars Lee Byung-hun. It marks his return to the big screen a decade after The Fortress (2017).Buying Youth in the Near Future, Where Generation Becomes a WeaponK.O. Club is short for "Killing Oldmen Club." The story unfolds in a near future where money can purchase youth itself, setting a small elite of older citizens — holdin

Overseas Pre-Sales Bring Down Korean Films' Break-Even Points

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Director Yeon Sang-ho (left) and actress Jun Ji-hyun at the press conference for Colony*, held on May 6 at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Director Yeon Sang-ho's Paradise Lost recouped its entire net production budget of 500 million won through overseas pre-sales alone, before its domestic release. The director's other film, Colony, passed its break-even point of 3 million admissions just ten days after its May 21 release. Colony's net production budget was 17 billion won, meaning its break-even point based on theatrical revenue alone exceeded 5 million admissions.In the Korean film industry, the break-even point is typically calculated as roughly three times the production budget in ticket admissions. This is because about half of theatrical revenue goes to theaters, with distribution fees deducted as well. According to the Korean Film Council's (KOFIC) "Korean Film Profitability Analysis," released late last year, theatrical revenue still accounted

Lee Chang-dong's Possible Love Has World Premiere as Director's First Venice Competition Entry in 24 Years

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Actors Zo In-sung (from left), Cho Yeo-jeong, Jeon Do-yeon, and Sul Kyung-gu attend a press conference for Possible Love at Hotel Naru Seoul – MGallery Collection in Mapo District, Seoul, on August 25. Lee Chang-dong's Possible Love had its world premiere in the Competition section of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on September 6 (local time). Following the official screening at the Sala Grande of the Palazzo del Cinema on Venice's Lido Island, the audience gave the film a six-minute standing ovation. Director Lee Chang-dong and lead actors Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung, and Cho Yeo-jeong attended a photocall ahead of the screening.The 83rd Venice International Film Festival opened on September 2 and runs through September 12. This year's Competition lineup includes several films addressing contemporary issues, and actress-director Maggie Gyllenhaal serves as jury president. Winners, including the Golden Lion, the Competition's top prize, will b

As Kim Hyang-gi, Park Bo-gum, Jung Hae-in and Kang Ha-neul Take the Mic, Korean Animation Rewrites Its Marketing Playbook

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Posters for "Gill," left, and "David" / Courtesy of ATNINE FILM and Lotte EntertainmentKorean animation studios, long challenged by the absence of established franchises or built-in fandoms, are increasingly turning to A-list live-action stars for voice casting as a core marketing strategy. Actors Jung Hae-in and Kang Ha-neul both take on their first voice roles in the animated feature "Gill" (Korean title: 아가미), based on the novel of the same name by Gu Byeong-mo, opening September 9. Their casting follows a similar pattern set by stars like Park Bo-gum and Kim Hyang-gi in recent animated releases — a trend that international trade press has already begun tracking as a distinct shift in how Korean animation markets itself.

Korean Film Council Launches “Special Committee for the Sustainable Development of Korean Cinema” with Film Industry Experts

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The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) has launched the Special Committee for the Sustainable Development of Korean Cinema, bringing frontline industry professionals into a standing consultative body. At a moment when creation, production, investment and distribution are faltering simultaneously, the significance lies less in any single policy announcement than in the mechanism itself: for the first time, Korea's film policy agency and the industry it regulates will sit at the same table on a continuing basis. Diagnoses of the crisis have been plentiful in recent years, but the conversation has typically ended with the forum that hosted it. This committee is an attempt to build a channel from that conversation to actual policy.What was decidedKOFIC launched the committee and held its first official meeting on September 1 at the Film Education Support Center in Seoul. The body comprises four KOFIC commissioners, including Chairperson Han Sang-jun, alongside private-sector members drawn from ac

Announcement of Second-Half Selection Results for the KOFIC Co-Production Fund (KoCo Fund)

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On September 1 (Tue), the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) announced the second-half selection results for the 2026 KOFIC Co-Production Fund (KoCo Fund).<2026 Second-Half KOFIC KOFIC Co-Production Fund (KoCo Fund)> Title Korean Prod. Foreign Prod. Director Subsidy (KRW) Tamako Jin Pictures Central Arts (Japan) Sakamoto Junji (Japan) 150 K Running CHAEUN Tomato Production Champion Star Pictures (Hong Kong) KIM Tae-yong 250 K Finding Mr. Destiny SOO Films Innicor Pictures (Indonesia) Hong Ji-young (Korea) 300 K Pudong Pudong Rainbow Factory Portico Media (Taiwan) KIMJHO Gwang-soo (Korea) 300 K Maiden Home Indiestory Screenworks Asia (Taiwan) / Infinite Studios (Singapore) SINN Ki-rin (Korea) 400 K The KOFIC Co-Production Fund (KoCo Fund) is a project launched for the first time this year, with a total budget of KRW 3 billion, supporting up to KRW 500 million per project. In the first half, a total of 4 works were selected. The budget for the 2027 KOFIC Co-Production Fu

Bong Joon-ho's First Animated Film 'Ally' Turns to Humanity's Relationship with Nature

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Ally ©2026 V8 Pistons Pictures.Bong Joon-ho confronted class conflict head-on in "Parasite," the 2019 film that swept four Academy Awards. With his first feature-length animated film, "Ally," the director's gaze is now widening from human society to humanity's relationship with the natural world. Italian dailies La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera each published interviews with Bong on August 21 examining this shift, coverage that arrives just weeks before the director receives the Stella della Mole ("Star of the Mole") award at Turin's National Museum of Cinema on September 23."Ally" marks Bong's first feature as an animation director, with a screenplay he wrote himself alongside Jason Yu ("Sleep") as co-writer. Producer Seo Woo-sik, who previously worked with Bong on "Mother" and "Okja," oversees the project, marking their third collaboration. The film follows Ally, a young piglet squid living in the depths of the South Pacific who dreams of seeing the sun and becoming the star of