Lee Chang-dong’s ‘Possible Love’ wins Korea’s first Ebert Award; Seol Kyung-gu makes surprise confession after 23 years

Master Korean filmmaker 'Lee Chang-dong' has captivated North America with his new film 'Possible Love.' He became the first Korean director to win the 'Ebert Director Award' at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), once again demonstrating his standing on the world stage.

A sharp insight from the screen in an age of human loss

According to Netflix, Lee accepted the honor at TIFF’s Tribute Awards ceremony, held on the 13th at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto, Canada. The award honors pioneers whose original visions have brought landmark changes to cinema and commemorates Roger Ebert, one of the most respected film critics in the United States. Presenting the award was 'Seol Kyung-gu,' Lee’s longtime screen persona, who has worked with him on 'Peppermint Candy' (2000), 'Oasis' (2002) and the new film. Taking the stage, Lee said, “I accept this award as a stern encouragement to continue making films without compromise.”

He stressed, “In this era, when artificial intelligence (AI) without a sense of self is gaining power and humans are losing their identities, cinema must continue to explore humanity, which remains an unknown territory.” 'Possible Love,' which had its North American premiere on the 14th at the Princess of Wales Theatre, extends that philosophy. Critics say the film expands the social ills of an age in which the value of labor has faded beyond the Korean context to address a universal human problem.

Class conflict and the stark face of desire, shaped through an ensemble cast

The film follows Ye-ji, a documentary filmmaker played by 'Jo Yeo-jeong,' as she records Ho-seok, a dismissed worker pushed to the brink and played by 'Seol Kyung-gu,' and his wife, played by 'Jeon Do-yeon.' As the two sharply contrasting classes become entangled, the psychological battle that forces them to confront each other’s hidden desires and chilling depths is the film’s centerpiece.

A reunion after 23 years and new faces who transformed the master’s set

During the question-and-answer session after the screening, the actors offered vivid accounts of the production. 'Seol Kyung-gu,' who plays the dismissed worker, said he “tried to summon the intense memories of 23 years ago,” but added, “Unlike the solemn set of the past, the new energy brought by 'Jo In-sung' and 'Jo Yeo-jeong' made this shoot remarkably fun and moving,” describing the changed atmosphere on set.

'Jo In-sung,' who plays the chaebol heir Sang-woo, recalled, “I wanted to break out of the stereotypical mold of a capitalist. Rather than deciding on a single right answer, I engaged intensely with the director and enjoyed complete artistic freedom as an actor.” 'Jo Yeo-jeong,' who plays Ye-ji, a character viewed as an extension of the director himself, said, “I felt enormous pressure to represent the director’s perspective, but the environment gave me room to breathe fully as the character, allowing me to go beyond my limits.”

'Possible Love,' Lee Chang-dong’s first film in eight years since 'Burning' (2018), ended his long silence and announced the arrival of a masterpiece by winning the Grand Jury Prize in competition at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. Backed by acclaim from critics around the world, the film will receive its official theatrical release in South Korea on the 23rd and arrive in homes worldwide on Netflix on Nov. 6.

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