South Korean drama Possible Love chosen as official Oscar entry ahead of Netflix premiere

Netflix has released the final trailer for the upcoming drama Possible Love, directed by filmmaker Lee Chang Dong. The film stars Jeon Do Yeon, Sul Kyung Gu, Cho Yeo Jeong and Zo In Sung as members of two married couples whose lives cross paths through personal struggles and hidden secrets.

Characters and Plot

The trailer opens with Mi Ok, played by Jeon Do Yeon, singing while smiling despite a clear sense of sadness. She hints that her husband Ho Seok, played by Sul Kyung Gu, is hiding something from her, noting that a past job loss has strained their marriage over time. The footage shows Mi Ok breaking down on camera as Ye Ji, played by Cho Yeo Jeong, watches with tears. Mi Ok and Ye Ji grow closer, but tension builds when Mi Ok sees Ye Ji with her husband Sang Woo, played by Zo In Sung. Things get more complicated when Ye Ji suggests that both couples take a trip together, leading to a vacation that mixes current tensions with glimpses into the past of Mi Ok and Ho Seok.

Festival Wins and Oscar Bid

This project marks the first feature film for Lee Chang Dong since his 2018 acclaimed drama Burning. The new movie earned the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival and took home the best film of the year honor from the Korean Association of Film Critics, where Jeon Do Yeon also won Best Actress. The Korean Film Council selected the movie as South Korea's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards, pointing to its strong cinematic completeness, clear message, and mise-en-scene. The selection committee also noted interest from North American media, building on the success of Lee's previous work Burning, which became the first Korean film to reach the Oscar shortlist for best foreign language film.

Context

The film will launch globally on Netflix on November 6 following a limited theatrical release in select markets. South Korea has built a strong reputation at the Academy Awards in recent years, making its official selection one of the most closely watched announcements in international cinema during the awards season.