SEOUL, October 26 (AJP) - Jeon Do-yeon has emerged as a contender for a best actress nomination at next year's Academy Awards for her performance in Lee Chang-dong's "Possible Love," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The U.S. entertainment publication said Jeon could become the first South Korean ever nominated in the category, placing the veteran actor among this season's best-actress contenders as Lee's film gains momentum overseas.
Jeon plays Mi-ok, the wife of a laid-off worker, whose life becomes intertwined with a wealthy couple after she agrees to take part in a documentary about displaced workers.
The Hollywood Reporter singled out the complexity of Jeon's performance, describing "Possible Love" as one of the major international contenders of the awards season. Jeon previously won best actress at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007 for Lee's "Secret Sunshine."
The film has also drawn strong critical reviews. It held a 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes from 56 critic reviews as of Monday.
"Possible Love" won the Grand Jury Prize at the Venice International Film Festival in September. It is Lee's first feature film in eight years and also stars Sul Kyung-gu, Cho Yeo-jeong and Zo In-sung.
Lee told The Hollywood Reporter that nominations for actors in non-English-language films remain rare, but said Jeon's layered performance could resonate with audiences across language barriers.
The film opened in South Korean theaters on Sept. 23 and began theatrical releases in several overseas markets last week. It will stream globally on Netflix from Nov. 6.
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