Lee Chang-dong's film 'Possible Love' explores themes of class and desire, premiering at Venice before its Netflix release.
Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong's latest work, ‘Possible Love’, premiered in the Venice Film Festival competition on September 6, 2026. The film stars Jeon Do-yeon and Sul Kyung-gu, marking their significant return to collaboration with Lee after many years. This film shifts perspectives in the romance genre, posing questions about class and fate alongside love itself.
‘Possible Love’ diverges from the typical tragic love stories associated with Lee’s previous works, such as ‘Burning’ (2018). Instead, it ventures to propose what love might look like if social barriers like class and status were less restrictive. According to Variety, the film follows Mi-ok (Jeon Do-yeon), who navigates the fallout from her husband Ho-seok's (Sul Kyung-gu) layoff amid a labor strike, while encountering a wealthier couple, Ye-ji (Cho Yeo-jeong) and Sang-woo (Zo In-sung).
The narrative explores the complexities of personal and societal struggles intertwining. As Mi-ok becomes involved with the documentary being created by Ye-ji about laid-off workers, their intersecting lives raise deeper questions of desire, empathy, and social challenges.
Jeon Do-yeon and Lee Chang-dong reunite nearly two decades after their acclaimed collaboration on ‘Secret Sunshine’. Jeon describes Mi-ok as a character marked by profound internal anxiety, likening her to a “ticking time bomb.” She views Mi-ok’s interactions with Sang-woo as a blend of curiosity and desire, adding depth to the character’s resilience against hardship.
Sul Kyung-gu, who last worked with Lee on ‘Oasis’ (2002), portrays a man caught in a world of pride and vulnerability. He characterizes Ho-seok as embodying the struggles faced by many, balancing silence with unexpressed emotions. Sul expressed trust in Lee’s direction, noting the intense connection he shares with the material they've worked on together.
In terms of narrative origin, ‘Possible Love’ traces back to a script Lee was developing regarding a 2009 workers' strike. This attempt was shelved for years until Lee’s co-writer, Oh Jung-mi, suggested integrating it with a documentarian’s story, reigniting Lee’s interest. The director highlighted the ethical considerations behind telling stories based on real-life struggles, reinforcing the film’s probing questions about the relationships between filmmakers and their subjects.
Having three of his films featured at the Venice Festival, Lee Chang-dong continues to demonstrate the evolution of Korean cinema on the global stage, as evidenced by previous films like ‘Peppermint Candy’ and ‘Burning’.
After its Venice premiere, ‘Possible Love’ is set to screen at additional major festivals, including Toronto, Busan, and London. The film will open in theaters on October 23, 2026, and will subsequently stream on Netflix starting November 6, 2026, making it accessible to a wider audience.
The anticipation surrounding Lee Chang-dong’s ‘Possible Love’ is palpable as it promises to blend critical social themes with intimate storytelling. As it traverses international film festivals, this film offers a fresh perspective on love and societal challenges, poised to resonate with both critics and audiences alike.
For more insight into the Venice Film Festival and related projects, check out our articles on Liam and Noel Gallagher Present ‘Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger’ at Venice Film Festival and A24’s ‘Primetime’ Starring Robert Pattinson Receives 9-Minute Ovation at Venice Film Festival.
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