Lee Chang-dong Returns With His First New Film in 8 Years, “A Possible Love” — Scheduled for a Theatrical Release in September, Netflix Drops It in November

The Maestro Returns, “A Possible Love” Embraces Venice After 24 Years

A perfectionist in the Korean film industry, director Lee Chang-dong, finally breaks his silence. After a long wait of eight years following Burning (2018), his new film “A Possible Love” lands in local theaters first on September 23, ahead of its global release via Netflix.

Global streaming giant Netflix officially announced the same release roadmap on the 28th. With an all-star ensemble featuring Jeon Do-yeon, Sol Kyung-gu, Jo In-sung, and Cho Yeo-jeong, the film targets living rooms worldwide through its platform starting November 6 after the theatrical pre-release.

“A Possible Love” delves into the story of two married couples intertwined through the intersection of documentary production. A dismissed laborer and his wife, and a documentary director and her husband. It dissects the conflicting arcs of their contrasting lives and the intensely private desires they generate through that clash—through Lee Chang-dong’s signature, cool yet dense gaze. In particular, it has been confirmed that the film draws inspiration from director Krzysztof Kieślowski’s masterpiece The Decalogue (1989), strongly piquing the intellectual curiosity of cinephiles around the world.

The global film community is already looking toward this work. It will make its World Premiere after receiving an official invitation to the competition section of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, opening in September. Coming on the heels of last year’s Decision to Break Up by director Park Chan-wook, this marks two consecutive years of good news for Korean cinema, and for Lee Chang-dong personally it is an overwhelming symbol of his return to the Venice red carpet after a remarkable 24 years since Oasis (2002).

After setting aside Venice’s accolades, the film heads straight to the 51st Toronto International Film Festival, held later in the same month. After taking over the North American stage as well, it is expected to establish itself as the standout must-watch title of the second half of the year, riding its strategic distribution network of a domestic theatrical release and global streaming.