Lee Chang-dong's "Possible Love" Heads to Netflix Amid Crisis in Korean Cinema; "Films Must Be Made"

[Financial News] Netflix film "Possible Love," Lee Chang-dong's first new work in eight years, will open in select theaters on the 23rd of next month before being released on Netflix on Nov. 6.
"Possible Love" drew attention last year as a symbolic example of the difficulties facing the Korean film industry. Even one of Korea's most respected master directors could not secure investment from the industry and ultimately turned to Netflix.

At the production briefing held on the 25th at Hotel Naru Seoul - MGallery in Mapo District, Seoul, Lee recalled the background to working with Netflix, saying, "The first half of last year was when the Korean film industry was at its weakest." He added, "We have to accept the changes that make it inevitable for theaters and streaming services to coexist."
He said, "It was a time when I had doubts about how much the Korean film industry could recover." He added, "Even so, I believed films had to be made. The structure of the film industry is changing, and no one can stop that flow of change." He also said he had been thinking about how to get closer to audiences in this changed environment.
On the film's decision to open first in select theaters in Korea, unlike previous Netflix films, he explained, "Netflix promised a theatrical release before the launch," adding, "It kept that promise."
The Netflix film "Possible Love," starring Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong, tells the story of two couples who meet through the making of a documentary and confront different lives and inner desires. It is Lee's first new film in eight years, following "Green Fish," "Peppermint Candy," "Oasis," "Miryang," "Poetry" and "Burning."
Lee drew attention by saying that, in terms of working with Netflix, "It was the most comfortable I have worked on among all the works I have made so far." The structure, which eased the burden of breaking even compared with theatrical releases, appears to have played a role.
He recalled, "Netflix trusted my work and wanted to make it together from the beginning," adding, "Even while we were looking for investors to make it a theatrical film, they waited patiently." He explained that after plans to raise investment for a theatrical release fell through, he eventually joined forces with Netflix.
He added, "There was no interference or demand throughout the entire production process. They absolutely respected the director's independence and have maintained that attitude to this day," and said, "It has been the most comfortable project I have worked on."
Lee concluded by saying, "Our film may be different in nature from the kind of work people usually encounter on Netflix. Even so, I hope it becomes a film that gives viewers enjoyment and changes, even a little, the way they think about film, the world and life."
Meanwhile, interest from the global film community in Lee's new work is intense. The film was selected for the competition section of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, one of the world's top three film festivals, and was also officially invited to the Main Slate section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the 64th New York Film Festival.
[email protected] Shin Jin-a Reporter