Possible Love: Lee Chang-dong's Korean Return

Possible Love: Lee Chang-dong’s Return to South Korea

After an eight-year absence, renowned South Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong returns with Possible Love, a film that dissects marriage and social class while delineating the relationship between two couples who represent different social classes and ideals.

Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Cho Yeo-jeong, and Zo In-sung star in this project, which premiered at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival where it was awarded the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize.

While it was theatrically released in South Korea, it is set to be released internationally on Netflix on November 6, 2026.

Written by Lee Chang-dong and Oh Jung-mi, this film explores social class and the core beliefs which inform and affect our relationships.

The expression Kisskh site may appear in online discussions about Korean entertainment, but the film’s global premiere date comes directly from Netflix.

What is Possible Love About?

Two couples are brought together through a documentary film project.

Ho-seok was previously a factory worker, but lost his job and has had a difficult time finding other work. Along with the loss of his job and economic security, his family has suffered because of it.

The pressure of economic hardship has caused a rift in Ho-seok and Mi-ok’s relationship, and they now have a strain on their marriage due to different expectations and attitudes toward life.

The second couple consists of Sang-woo and Ye-ji. Sang-woo is affluent and successful, and Ye-ji is a documentary filmmaker with an interest in depicting the plight of the jobless.

Through her research, Ye-ji meets Mi-ok. The two hit it off, and as their relationship progresses, their husbands and families begin to spend time together.

Social class and financial status have an impact on people’s relationships, and due to varying degrees of personal freedom, people have a false sense of security.

The emotional bonds created by the relationships distort the relationships in the families, and test the boundaries of marital fidelity.

The movie deals with social and economic class divisions and how the relationships people pursue are influenced by those divisions, and how even the most private choices can be swayed by class divisions.

Jeon Do-yeon and Sul Kyung-gu Reunite

Jeon Do-yeon plays Mi-ok, a woman who has endured a long and trying marriage.

Jeon last worked with Lee Chang-dong on Secret Sunshine, the 2007 drama that won Jeon the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Jeon’s other notable films include The Housemaid, Kill Boksoon, and A Man and A Woman.

Sul Kyung-gu plays Ho-seok, Mi-ok’s unemployed husband.

Sul also worked with Lee on Peppermint Candy and Oasis, establishing a long-term working relationship with the director.

The two actors form the emotional core of the film as they portray a marriage that is trying, yet loving.

Although the couple has suffered and endured a lot, the presence of another couple forces them to reevaluate their relationship.

Cho Yeo-jeong and Zo In-sung form the other couple, and portray a financially comfortable couple, who seem stable, yet are ultimately unraveling.

The four primary characters portray different sides of emotionally satisfying and socially tangible jobs, and the extent of their desires.

The film does not depend on stereotypical situations of a romantic comedy to generate a story.

Katharine Chou has listed several cast members and their previous works.

Lee Chang-Dong is Back After Eight Years

Possible Love is Lee Chang-dong’s first film since Burning in 2018.

Lee has established himself internationally with films like Green Fish, Peppermint Candy, Oasis, Secret Sunshine and Poetry.

Many of his films show how characters’ inner struggles and conflicts touch upon greater social and moral quandaries.

This interest is also in his new film.

He co-wrote the script with Oh Jung-mi with whom he worked in Burning.

Lee has spoken previously about his mindful approach towards projects. He wants to understand why he needs to make the project before he starts working on it.

Many critics and film festivals have shown interest in Lee’s return.

The film’s length, which is approximately 167 minutes, allows for exploration of the four main characters and other major figures.

Success at Venice Film Festival

The film’s world premiere was at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival on September 6, 2026.

The film attracted a long standing ovation.

The film won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize on September 12.

This is another significant international honor for Lee Chang-dong.

South Korea selected the film as its submission to the 2026 Oscars for Best International Feature Film.

This shows that the film is recognized on a national level, but there’s no guarantee it’ll get an Oscar nomination.

The production was also included in various international festivals’ (e.g. Toronto, New York, San Sebastián) programs.

The reception has highlighted the director’s focus on emotionally complex characters and the relationship between the private and public domains, as well as between the personal and the political.

‘Possible Love’ had a theatrical release in South Korea on September 23, 2026.

Netflix later confirmed the film’s theatrical release in Australia and a number of other regions (including the U.S., Canada, the UK, Ireland, and Japan) on October 23.

The film will be released worldwide on Netflix on November 6.

On October 20, Netflix released the film’s final trailer, showing additional scenes that expand on the existing relationships among the characters.

The release campaign shows the film is fully completed and on the cusp of its global release via Netflix.

“Kisskkh” (Out of respect for Korean rules regarding spoilers, we have purposefully avoid mentioning these dates in our transcriptions) may appear in discussions regarding the Korean entertainment industry; however, the international premiere date is set by Netflix.

For those who appreciate interpersonal drama and intricacies of human interaction, this production presents a relevant treatment of the theme of marriage within the framework of class inequality and divisions.

With a prominent director, a star-studded cast, and accolades on the festival circuit, this is undoubtedly one of the more notable South Korean releases of 2026.