# Lee Chang-dong’s Possible Love Explores Class Dynamics and Human Desire South Korea’s Oscar contender reunites Jeon Do-yeon and Lee Chang-dong in a complex drama. - **Source:** [Vogue](https://www.vogue.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [entertainment](https://brifing.si/c/entertainment) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/2e653212-18ee-4127-95ca-e826f49e02c0 ## A Long-Awaited Cinematic Return Director Lee Chang-dong returns after an eight-year hiatus with Possible Love. The film, which recently premiered at the Venice Film Festival, serves as South Korea’s official submission for the 2027 Academy Awards. It reunites Lee with actress Jeon Do-yeon nearly twenty years after their acclaimed collaboration on the 2007 film Secret Sunshine. ## Plotting Social Class Fault Lines The narrative centers on two married couples from vastly different social strata in contemporary Korea. Mi-ok, a mask-factory worker, and her husband Ho-seok encounter Ye-ji, a documentary filmmaker, and her wealthy husband Sang-woo. Their lives collide when a funeral triggers a project that exposes hidden desires and deep-seated class tensions. ## Jeon Do-yeon’s Pragmatic Performance Jeon Do-yeon portrays Mi-ok, a character defined by stoicism and simmering longing. Despite her status as the first Korean performer to win a Cannes acting prize, she remains grounded. She views the current Oscar buzz as a positive development for the film, though she insists it will not alter her acting process. ## Zo In-sung’s Complex Character Arc Actor Zo In-sung plays Sang-woo, a wealthy heir representing the multifaceted nature of capital and power. Zo described the opportunity to work with Lee Chang-dong as a massive mountain to climb. He had to strip away artificial acting habits to embody the enigmatic, layered persona required for this specific role. ## Director Lee’s Creative Process Lee Chang-dong famously avoids traditional rehearsals, fostering an environment where actors must embrace discomfort. Jeon Do-yeon notes that this approach allows for something entirely new to emerge from the struggle. The project itself was a decade in the making, evolving through various script versions before reaching its final, layered form. ## Global Reach via Netflix Following a theatrical run in October, the film is now streaming on Netflix, reaching a massive global audience. Jeon Do-yeon believes the movie leaves a unique afterglow for every viewer, encouraging endless interpretations. The platform allows international audiences to engage with a story deeply rooted in specific Korean social trauma. ## Awards and Critical Acclaim The film secured the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. Its selection as Korea’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards highlights its international significance. Critics often describe the work as a study of empathy that gradually warps into a strange, ambiguous exploration of voyeurism. ## Thematic Resonance of Trauma At its core, the film examines the lingering trauma of mass factory layoffs and suppressed labor strikes. By juxtaposing the lives of the working class against the wealthy, Lee Chang-dong creates a universal narrative. The story transcends its local setting, offering a profound commentary on privilege and the human condition today. ## Sources covering this story - [Vogue — Jeon Do-yeon Stars in Lee Chang-dong’s Possible Love](https://www.vogue.com/article/jeon-do-yeon-possible-love-interview) - [The Korea Times – All — Zo In-sung Embraces Artistic Challenge in 'Possible Love'](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/films/20261110/actor-zo-in-sung-embraces-artistic-challenge-in-possible-love?utm_source=rss) --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._