“I worry only old trees will remain”: President Lee vows in France to restore “K-content” ladder after meeting Lee Chang-dong, Jeon Do-yeon

President Lee Jae-myung, on a state visit to France, attended the “Lumière Summit”, a global summit for the film and video industry held near Nice on July 7 local time. There, he met leading figures from South Korea’s film industry and pledged comprehensive support for the “K-content” “ecosystem.” His visit marked an effort to confront the structural crisis beneath the industry’s glamorous surface and seek solutions at the national level.

Crisis beneath the glamour: “Restoring the foundation of the ecosystem is urgent”

The in-depth discussion, titled “The Next Scene: Talking About the Future of ‘K-content,’” brought together key industry figures, including directors Lee Chang-dong and Jung Joo-ri; actors Seol Kyung-gu, Jeon Do-yeon and Kim Do-yeon; and Kim Min-young, Netflix’s vice president overseeing content for the Asia-Pacific region.

President Lee said South Korean cinema had “achieved remarkable growth around the world in less than 100 years,” calling it “a triumph made possible by the development of a free political environment and democracy, which form the foundation of culture and the arts.” But he followed the praise with a sharp assessment. Describing the current structure of South Korea’s film industry, Lee expressed deep concern that “the fruit has grown large and spectacular, but the small trees and grass at the base have withered, leaving only giant old trees behind.”

Zeroing in on the widening divide in access to capital, he said, “The ladder of growth has been completely severed. Blockbusters requiring enormous investments have become the preserve of global investors, while art-house and independent films with uncertain commercial prospects have been left neglected.” He went on to argue that “the government must step in and fill the gaps in the ‘ecosystem’ to break down this distorted structure, which looks glamorous on the outside but is rotting from within.” Addressing director Lee Chang-dong, the president said, “Building on the dedication of the senior generation, we now need to open opportunities for younger filmmakers to take the next leap,” underscoring the need for practical support for emerging creators.

A way out of the investment freeze: “Immediate review of tax incentives for private capital”

Voices from the industry conveyed a sense of urgency. Director Lee Chang-dong said, “A structural crisis has arrived across the film industry. Even my own projects are struggling to attract investment in South Korea.” He stressed that although South Korean films had secured a standing on the global stage comparable to France’s, “the industry falls far short in terms of substance and health,” and strongly called for a major expansion of “tax incentives” to encourage the inflow of private capital.

President Lee listened attentively while taking detailed notes on the participants’ concerns. He pledged, “As soon as I return home, I will order a review of the relevant policies. I will respond by producing tangible results,” signaling swift action. After the serious discussion ended, he also displayed a softer style of leadership, mingling informally with the participants and taking selfies while joking, “My wife specifically told me to bring back a photo.”

After the meeting, President Lee attended the official luncheon of the “Lumière Summit” with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife. There, he delivered a weighty message: “Let us join together across different cultural backgrounds, allow the value of diversity to fully blossom, and illuminate humanity’s shared future.” The remarks underscored his presence as a global cultural leader.