Acclaimed Korean Drama Lands Rare Chinese Distribution Deal

Two days ago, it was announced that the Korean film "The World of Love" has secured a Chinese distribution deal with Light Films Limited, a major milestone in the largely closed-off Chinese market for Korean cinema. This marks a rare achievement, as the 2021 release "Oh! My Gran" was the only Korean film to receive an official Chinese theatrical release in the past 10 years.

The Chinese distributor, Light Films Limited, is known for curating acclaimed international arthouse films, with a track record that includes acquisitions of works by renowned directors like Bong Joon Ho and Kore-eda Hirokazu. The company's CEO, Li Na, praised "The World of Love" for its "refreshingly new" feminist perspective, noting that while the film explores trauma, its underlying tone is "warm and uplifting."

Directed by Yoon Ga-eun, who is acclaimed for her previous films "The World of Us" and "The House of Us," the drama centers on a 17-year-old high school student whose angry outburst has ripple effects throughout her world. The film world premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, where it took home the Roberto Rossellini Awards Jury Prize and the People's Choice Award in the Pingyao International Film Festival's Crouching Tigers section. The strong festival reception and positive reviews from Chinese audiences on platforms like Douban led to the successful distribution deal.

The Chinese acquisition joins previously announced agreements with distributors in Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, further expanding the film's reach across key Asian markets.