Lee Chang-dong's Possible Love Sets Korean Theatrical Release Ahead of Netflix Debut
Lee Chang-dong's Possible Love opens in Korean cinemas on September 23 before its global Netflix release on November 6.
Director Lee Chang-dong is taking an unusual route with his latest film, and it could prove to be one of the year's most interesting release strategies. Before reaching a worldwide audience through Netflix, 'Possible Love' will first receive a theatrical release in South Korea. On July 28, distributor NEW confirmed that the film will open in Korean cinemas on September 23, giving local audiences the first opportunity to experience Lee's latest work on the big screen before it begins streaming globally.
POSSIBLE LOVE. A new film from director Lee Chang-dong. Starring Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung, and Cho Yeo-jeong.
— Netflix (@netflix) July 27, 2026
In select theaters in Korea on September 23 and in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland and Japan on October 23. Coming to Netflix November 6.
Two married couples… pic.twitter.com/j9OCXidPvd
The decision places 'Possible Love' alongside a growing list of prestige productions that have balanced theatrical and streaming releases. Films including 'Frankenstein' and 'The Irishman' also followed similar paths, proving that cinema and streaming do not always have to compete. Sometimes they work hand in hand. For Lee Chang-dong, whose films have long been recognised for their rich visual language and emotional depth, a theatrical premiere simply hits differently. It gives audiences the chance to absorb every frame exactly as it was intended before the film reaches homes around the world.
Global viewers will not have to wait long. Netflix is set to release 'Possible Love' on November 6, roughly one month after its domestic theatrical debut. The staggered rollout allows Korean moviegoers to experience the film first while opening the door for millions of international subscribers soon after. It also marks Lee Chang-dong's first original project for Netflix, making the release an important milestone in the acclaimed filmmaker's career.
'Possible Love' follows two couples whose lives become deeply intertwined through hidden desires and emotional conflict. The story centres on a laid-off worker and his wife, alongside a documentary director and her husband, as each confronts feelings they can no longer ignore. Rather than relying on spectacle, the film promises an intimate examination of relationships, ambition, disappointment, and the quiet struggles that often stay beneath the surface. It is a premise that fits perfectly with Lee Chang-dong's reputation for thoughtful, character-driven storytelling.
Long before its public release, 'Possible Love' had already attracted global attention. The film earned an invitation to the competition section of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, one of cinema's most prestigious showcases. It also secured a place in the Special Presentation programme at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival, strengthening expectations that Lee's latest work could become one of the year's standout international releases.
With an acclaimed director returning behind the camera, major festival recognition already secured, and a release plan that bridges cinemas and streaming, 'Possible Love' arrives with significant momentum. Korean audiences will experience the film first this September before Netflix carries it to viewers across the globe in November. For Lee Chang-dong, it is another opportunity to put pen to paper on a career that continues to shape modern Korean cinema while reaching an even wider international audience.
