Lee Chang-dong's latest film, 'Possible Love,' has premiered at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, competing for the prestigious Golden Lion award.
On September 6, a press conference for 'Possible Love' was held on the Lido in Venice, attended by director Lee Chang-dong and lead actors Seol Kyung-gu, Jeon Do-yeon, Cho Yeo-jeong, and Jo In-sung, drawing significant media attention.
The film tells the story of a couple, Ho-seok (played by Seol Kyung-gu) and Mi-ok (played by Jeon Do-yeon), who, after being laid off, encounter a wealthy documentary filmmaker, Ye-ji (played by Cho Yeo-jeong), and her husband, Sang-woo (played by Jo In-sung), leading them to confront their different lives and hidden desires.
Lee explained the role of the documentary filmmaker, stating, "This character must constantly question what mindset is necessary when capturing the lives of others. This connects to the fundamental questions posed by all creators and workers who convey the lives of others."
He added, "I hoped my actors would not deceive themselves, and surprisingly, they enjoyed the process of acting while doubting themselves."
Seol Kyung-gu and Jeon Do-yeon, who have a long-standing collaboration with Lee, expressed their unique feelings about the project. Seol, reuniting with Lee after 24 years since 'Oasis' (2002), shared, "At that time, I wanted to escape due to the tension and pressure, but looking back, I missed that moment. I unconsciously promised myself to return to my original intentions."
Jeon recalled a moment when Seol filmed an emotionally intense scene, saying, "When I asked if he was okay, he replied, 'Where else can we find a set that makes us feel this much pain and contemplation? I love this set.' I felt the same way."
Jeon, who won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for 'Secret Sunshine' (2007), also reflected on her evolved acting philosophy, stating, "In the past, I struggled to follow the director's methods, but now I approach the set with a clearer understanding. I naturally accepted Mi-ok's anxieties without any pretense. Above all, I learned that believing in oneself on set is the most important thing."
Cho Yeo-jeong and Jo In-sung also reminisced about their strong teamwork and camaraderie. Cho shared, "When I first read the script, I was overwhelmed by the intensity of the role and took three days to decide. After committing, I texted Jeon, saying, 'I will follow your eyes.' I felt truly supported by Jeon and Jo whenever they were on set, and I was genuinely happy to be an actor."
Jo In-sung added, "In front of the director and legendary seniors, everyone becomes equal. We all share the same doubts and desire to do well, which fostered a sense of camaraderie. Just the other day, I said, 'Our chemistry was really good,' and I still miss that set."
As the press conference concluded, the actors expressed strong hopes for winning the Golden Lion. Jeon confidently stated, "There is not a shred of doubt. I hope this award becomes the driving force for the director's next film." Cho humorously added, "I sold a good dream to the production company, hoping we would win the Golden Lion."
Netflix's 'Possible Love' will have a limited release in some theaters in South Korea on September 23, followed by a global release on November 6.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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