paroolNov 5, 2026, 02:00

With Possible Love, Lee Chang-dong has made a sophisticated film about the rich and poor in South Korea

Director Lee Chang-dong explores the widening gap between the wealthy and the poor in his latest film, Possible Love, which premieres on Netflix on November 6. The story follows a filmmaker who forms an unexpected connection with a worker's wife while documenting the aftermath of a violent factory strike.

South Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong has returned with his latest project, Possible Love, a sophisticated drama exploring the deep divide between social classes. The narrative follows an affluent filmmaker named Ye-ji, who develops a complex bond with Mi-ok while researching a documentary on the aftermath of a brutal factory strike involving Mi-ok's husband, Ho-seok. Rather than a traditional story of class struggle, Lee presents a portrait of a society where economic stratospheres have become so distant they rarely intersect. The film examines the erosion of solidarity among workers and the personal conflict of an artist attempting to document the lives of the marginalized.

Despite winning three awards at the Venice Film Festival, Netflix has opted to release the movie exclusively on its streaming platform starting November 6. Lee notes that the film reflects his own identity, shaped by a childhood of poverty, and highlights the moral struggle of filmmakers who exist between different social worlds. The movie serves as a reflection on how individuals navigate a systemic reality that feels increasingly fragile and beyond simple resolution.

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Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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