'It's the question itself that matters': Director Lee Chang-dong explores how far to go in telling other people's stories

Lee Chang-dong, a towering figure in Korean cinema, has once again captured attention with his latest film "Possible Love," which premiered on Netflix and was Korea's official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the upcoming Academy Awards. Known for his nuanced storytelling and profound thematic concerns, Lee confronts the complexities of representing marginalized voices through this new project.

Despite the global triumph of Korean cinema exemplified by Bong Joon-ho’s "Parasite," Lee cautions against expecting a similar level of Academy Award success anytime soon. He highlights persistent systemic barriers faced not only by Korean filmmakers but by Asian and non-Western cinematic voices aiming for recognition in traditionally Western-dominated awards platforms.

"Possible Love" is distinctive in its genesis and production. Backed financially by Netflix, the film benefits from resources that have alleviated some typical production pressures, enabling Lee to focus deeply on the film’s thematic core. This collaboration with a major streaming platform also marks a significant moment for Korean cinema, as Netflix undertook a theatrical release in Korea—a first for its Korean original content—to satisfy Oscar eligibility criteria.

The narrative centers on a working-class couple coping with the aftermath of industrial layoffs and a failed strike. Through the characters Ho-seok and Mi-ok, portrayed by long-time collaborators Sul Kyung-gu and Jeon Do-yeon, Lee explores the personal and societal impacts of economic instability. Their struggles are observed through the lens of Ye-ji, a documentary filmmaker character who, despite her affluent background, seeks to independently fund a film about the couple’s plight.

This layered storytelling approach allows Lee to interrogate not only the hardships of the laid-off workers but also the ethical questions inherent in telling stories that are not one’s own. Drawing from real conversations with affected workers and their families, Lee wrestled with his positionality and the authenticity of representing others’ experiences. The director intentionally prioritized character-driven storytelling over a predetermined plot, adhering to documentary principles that resist contrived narratives.

Lee’s reflections on his role—as both an observer wielding a camera and a storyteller navigating power dynamics—are embedded within the film itself. This meta-cinematic element underscores the tensions between artistic expression, ethical responsibility, and the commercial realities of filmmaking.

While "Possible Love" addresses capitalism’s influence and the challenges of labor, the irony of producing such a film with the backing of a global streaming giant is not lost on Lee. The film emerges as a meditation on the paradoxes of modern filmmaking where creative independence and financial dependency coexist.

The director, now in his seventies, acknowledges a shift in his creative process, attributing some of the ease in making this film to his maturity and sustained collaborations with trusted actors. This evolution has allowed him to explore new cinematic possibilities, including the coexistence of streaming platforms and traditional theaters as conduits for Korean films reaching international audiences.

Ultimately, "Possible Love" does not offer definitive answers to the ethical dilemmas it raises. Instead, it invites audiences to engage with the ongoing question of how far artists can and should go in portraying the lives of others. Through this inquiry, Lee Chang-dong provides a thoughtful reflection on storytelling’s power and limitations in contemporary Korean cinema and beyond.

The film's availability on Netflix as of its release date ensures that these challenging themes reach a broad, global audience, continuing the dialogue on the intersection of art, ethics, and social realities in film.