Netflix Acquires Lee Chang-dong's "Possible Love"

Netflix has acquired Lee Chang-dong's latest drama, "Possible Love," signaling a significant release for the acclaimed South Korean auteur. The film is slated for a limited theatrical run in the U.S. starting October 23, followed by a global streaming launch on Netflix on November 6. This marks Lee's return to filmmaking since his 2018 critically lauded "Burning."

The drama is positioned for an awards season push, with its world premiere scheduled for September at the Venice Film Festival. It will later be showcased as a gala selection at the Toronto International Film Festival. "Possible Love" reunites Lee with two of his most celebrated collaborators: actress Jeon Do-yeon, who previously won a best actress award at Cannes for their 2007 film "Secret Sunshine," and actor Sul Kyung-gu, a lead in Lee's earlier works "Peppermint Candy" (1999) and "Oasis" (2002).

"Possible Love" follows the complex relationships and hidden desires of two married couples. The narrative centers on Mi-ok, played by Jeon Do-yeon, whose quiet life with her husband Ho-seok, portrayed by Sul Kyung-gu, is disrupted by a funeral that introduces them to documentary filmmaker Ye-ji and her affluent husband Sang-woo. As Mi-ok becomes involved in Ye-ji's film, she finds herself increasingly drawn to Sang-woo, leading to unforeseen consequences.

Lee Chang-dong, known for his spare, literary intensity, has garnered significant reverence among global cineastes despite limited commercial success. His directorial efforts have earned accolades including Venice's director's prize for "Oasis" and Cannes screenplay award for "Poetry." "Possible Love" was co-written with "Burning" writing partner Oh Jung-mi and is a U.S.-Korea co-production.