Lee Chang-dong's 'Possible Love' Selected as South Korea's Entry for 99th Academy Awards

Director Lee Chang-dong's latest film, 'Possible Love,' has been selected as South Korea's entry for the International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards.

The Korean Film Council announced that 'Possible Love' will represent South Korea in this category. Each year, the council selects one Korean film to submit to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

'Possible Love' tells the story of two couples—a laid-off worker and his wife, and a documentary filmmaker and her husband—who confront their different lives and hidden desires while working on a documentary.

This film marks Lee Chang-dong's first release in eight years since 'Burning.' It features actors Jeon Do-yeon, Seol Kyung-gu, Jo In-sung, and Jung Yu-mi, and has been officially invited to compete at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival and to be presented at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival.

The selection process this year followed revised guidelines for the Academy Awards' International Feature Film submissions. According to the new rules, the selection committee consists of at least ten members and primarily conducts evaluations through written assessments, with in-person meetings held as necessary.

The evaluation criteria were refined to focus on the film's quality, distribution potential in North America, and the recognition of the director and the submitted film. The assessment method was also changed to award points based on individual evaluations, selecting the film with the highest score.

The selection committee included 15 members, led by chairperson Jeong Sung-il, a film critic. The committee praised 'Possible Love' for its artistic quality, clear directorial message, and exceptional mise-en-scène.

They also highlighted Lee Chang-dong's unique humanism, delicate direction, and the film's rich portrayal of complex characters and relationships. The interest from North American media and the fact that Lee's previous film, 'Burning,' was the first Korean film to reach the preliminary round for the Academy's Best International Feature Film award were viewed positively.

The 99th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 2027, with the announcement of 'Possible Love's' preliminary nomination status expected by the end of this year.