Lee Chang-dong’s First Short Film, ‘Heartbeat,’ Unveiled: Jeon Do-yeon and Sul Kyung-gu Deliver a Powerful 28 Minutes

A master filmmaker’s gaze moves beyond theaters to global streaming

Acclaimed Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong will bring his first short film, Heartbeat (2022), to audiences worldwide on Nov. 2 via global streaming service Netflix.

Heartbeat is a 28-minute film that follows Cheol, a child caught precariously between his mother, who suffers from depression, and his father, who is staging a high-altitude protest atop a tower crane. Celebrated Korean actors Jeon Do-yeon and Sul Kyung-gu deliver deeply affecting performances as Cheol’s mother and father, respectively.

The film grew out of a meaningful proposal from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Beijing Contemporary Art Foundation (BCAF). The two organizations invited renowned directors from around the world to make short films about depression, a pressing issue in modern society. Lee took the helm in response to their call. The film screened as a special presentation at the 23rd Jeonju International Film Festival in 2022, but never received a regular theatrical release, leaving fans eagerly awaiting its wider release.

The short is also seen as a bridge to Possible Love, Lee’s latest film and a Netflix original, sharing its worldview and thematic concerns. Lee’s long-held determination to develop a story inspired by the SsangYong Motor layoffs came to fruition in Possible Love, following its development through Heartbeat. Jeon and Sul, who worked together on the short, and screenwriter Oh Jung-mi also joined the feature, where they forged a powerful creative partnership.

The feature Possible Love earned international acclaim last month, winning the Grand Jury Prize (Silver Lion) at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, which has since concluded. Netflix is bringing Lee’s filmography to global audiences for streaming, from his debut, Green Fish (1997), to his latest work, Possible Love. The Silver Lion-winning Possible Love will premiere exclusively on Nov. 6.