Lee Chang-dong’s first film in eight years since Burning (2018) is here — and it’s a Netflix original. Possible Love has already generated buzz for its stacked cast: Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Jo In-sung, and Jo Yeo-jeong. But the story behind how this film got made is just as interesting as who’s in it. Here’s everything confirmed so far about the plot, cast, and release.
- Netflix Quick View : https://www.netflix.com/kr/title/82106490
What Is Possible Love? (Kaneunghan Sarang)
It’s a drama film about two married couples living completely opposite lives, whose worlds collide and send cracks through all four of their day-to-day existences. Lee Chang-dong directed and co-wrote the film, working once again with Oh Jung-mi, who co-wrote Burning with him. Production comes from Pinehouse Film, the same company behind Burning.
Why Lee Chang-dong’s Return Is Such a Big Deal
Lee Chang-dong is one of Korea’s most respected auteur directors, with a filmography — Green Fish, Peppermint Candy, Oasis, Secret Sunshine, Poetry, and Burning — that’s picked up recognition at major festivals including Cannes over and over again. His work is known for cutting deep into Korean social realities while capturing something universal about human nature. The simple fact that this is his first feature in eight years explains why the announcement immediately drew global attention.
Synopsis
Possible Love explores the relationship between two individuals whose love appears ordinary yet is anything but. The film’s central narrative focuses on the realistic hardships faced by a couple—both of whom have been laid off—and the meaning of the love that blossoms amidst their struggle. It draws inspiration from the tragic events of 2009, when mass layoffs and the suppression of strikes shook Korean society.
While rooted in these social events, the film delves deeper than the incidents themselves, offering a profound reflection on human dignity and the way those who have been wounded discover hope through love. The process by which the two characters come to truly face one another—sparked by the unique experience of filming a documentary—is likely to prompt deep reflection among the audience.
Confirmed Cast
Mi-ok — Jeon Do-yeon
Ho-seok’s wife. Jeon Do-yeon first worked with Lee Chang-dong on Secret Sunshine (2007), which won her the Best Actress award at Cannes. After a 2022 short film collaboration (Heartbeat), this marks their first feature reunion in 18 years.
Ho-seok — Sul Kyung-gu
Mi-ok’s husband. Sul Kyung-gu previously appeared in Lee Chang-dong’s Peppermint Candy and Oasis, making this his third feature collaboration with the director. He and Jeon Do-yeon have now worked together four times, following I Wish I Had a Wife, Birthday, and Kill Boksoon — a pairing audiences are especially excited to see again here.
Sang-woo — Jo In-sung
The husband of the couple living the opposite life from Mi-ok and Ho-seok. Known for genre-hopping work across Smugglers, Moving, and The Battle: Roar to Victory, this is Jo In-sung’s first project with Lee Chang-dong. He’s mentioned before that he indirectly experienced the director’s style through The Great Battle (2018), a film Lee Chang-dong reportedly helped review the script for, adding that it gave the film some genuinely striking dialogue.
Ye-ji — Jo Yeo-jeong
Sang-woo’s wife. Jo Yeo-jeong, who won a Screen Actors Guild Award for the Parasite ensemble, is also working with Lee Chang-dong for the first time.
Additional Cast
Jo Yu-ri has also been confirmed as part of the cast, though her specific role hasn’t been detailed publicly yet.
The Behind-the-Scenes Story: Why Netflix?
There’s a notable backstory to how this film came together. All four lead actors reportedly agreed to reduced pay to help lower the budget — and even with that, no Korean production company stepped up to finance it. Lee Chang-dong ultimately turned to Netflix, which came on as the film’s primary investor and distributor.
For Jeon Do-yeon, this project carries extra weight as a reunion with the director who won her a Cannes acting award. Filming began in the second half of 2025, with a wrap targeted before year’s end, and post-production wrapped up through the first half of 2026.
Release Timeline
A Korean theatrical release is reportedly under discussion, followed by a global Netflix release sometime in Q4 2026. The exact theatrical date and Netflix release date haven’t been officially confirmed yet.
What Foreign Viewers Are Probably Wondering
“Who is Lee Chang-dong?” If you’re not deep into Korean cinema, the name might be unfamiliar — but he’s widely considered one of the directors, alongside Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook, who put Korean art-house film on the global map. His work tends to prioritize interior character depth and social context over flashy action, so this is a different flavor of Korean film than most of what tends to trend internationally.
“Why didn’t a Korean studio finance this, with a cast this big?” The fact that a film with this level of star power still couldn’t secure domestic investment has been cited as a sign of how cautious the Korean film industry has become around art-house projects. Netflix stepping in is being viewed largely as a positive — it means the film reaches a global audience simultaneously rather than being limited to a small theatrical run.
“Will this get a theatrical release?” A Korean theatrical release is being discussed, so audiences in Korea may get to see it in cinemas before it hits streaming. For viewers outside Korea, waiting for the Netflix release is the most reliable option.
Theatrical Release and Netflix Release Schedule
The official domestic theatrical release date for the film Possible Love has been confirmed as September 23, 2026. This is welcome news for audiences eager to experience the film’s grandeur and intricate direction firsthand in theaters.
Following the theatrical run, the film is also scheduled for a global release on Netflix to ensure it reaches a wider audience; the Netflix premiere is set for November 6, 2026—approximately a month and a half after the theatrical debut—with a simultaneous worldwide release.
Director Lee Chang-dong is renowned for creating films that leave a lasting impression, and it appears he will once again effectively utilize both theaters and OTT platforms to convey the film’s value. Those who prefer to watch from the comfort of their homes should mark November 6 on their calendars.
Final Thoughts
A Cannes-favorite director reuniting with one of Korea’s most acclaimed actresses, backed by a cast built around contrast and tension — Possible Love is shaping up to be a film that leans on weight and craft rather than spectacle. We’ll update this post as soon as an official release date is confirmed.
