Director Lee Chang-dong is debuting his latest feature, Possible Love, to a global audience via Netflix this November 6, 2026. As the film moves from a limited theatrical release to the streaming platform, the director is urging viewers to resist the urge to skip through scenes or watch at an accelerated pace.
The Director’s Stance on Digital Consumption
Addressing the habits of modern viewers who may be accustomed to fast-forwarding through content, Lee emphasized that his film requires a different approach to truly grasp its essence. The director explained that watching a film involves experiencing the time contained within it, and that viewers can immerse themselves and find significant enjoyment if they align their own time with the rhythm of the movie. While acknowledging that the spectacle of theatrical films often benefits from large screens, Lee noted that Possible Love relies on subtle daily landscapes and facial expressions that can still be felt on smaller devices. Meeting with reporters on the morning of November 6 at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Lee shared that he feels curious, expectant, and fluttered about how the general public will receive the work, noting that the film previously reached only a minority of film enthusiasts through limited screenings in restricted countries.
A Strategic Shift for Korean Cinema
The collaboration with Netflix was not the director’s initial intent, but rather a response to the dire state of the Korean film industry in early 2025. Facing a lack of domestic investment, Lee turned to the streaming giant, which he noted was willing to wait during the production process. The director views this release as a pilot case
for how streaming services and theatrical films can coexist, noting that the film had a limited two-week theatrical run starting September 23 to meet Academy eligibility requirements, and added that the box office score was not bad.
Despite the shift to streaming, Lee maintains that the fundamental power of cinema exists regardless of the medium or screen size. As for whether the global streaming release will alter his status or reputation, Lee stated that he has not thought about it, noting that at his age it is not about gaining anything, but rather about opening up possibilities for streaming services and theatrical films to coexist and for Korean films with distinct personalities to reach global viewers.
