Culture 4 min read By Morgan Griffin
Lee Chang-dong Films Head to Netflix Worldwide After 'Possible Love' Wins Silver Lion at Venice
Netflix will expand its catalog of Lee Chang-dong films globally following the Silver Lion win for 'Possible Love' at the Venice Film Festival. The director's first film in eight years opens in South Korean theaters on September 23.
Netflix is set to bring the films of acclaimed South Korean director Lee Chang-dong to viewers around the world, following the Silver Lion (Grand Jury Prize) win for his latest feature, «Possible Love», at the Venice Film Festival. The streaming expansion will allow audiences everywhere to explore a selection of Lee's earlier works, including «Secret Sunshine» and «Peppermint Candy».
The move marks a significant moment for global access to one of South Korea's most celebrated filmmakers. «Possible Love» is Lee's first film in eight years, and its Venice recognition has renewed international attention on his career. The film opens in South Korean theaters on September 23.
Netflix had already made some of Lee's earlier films available in select territories. «Green Fish» and «Secret Sunshine» began streaming on the platform in August in Italy, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and New Zealand. The new worldwide expansion will add more titles to the service, including «Peppermint Candy», giving subscribers across the globe a broader view of the director's filmography.
Lee Chang-dong is known for his meticulous storytelling and deeply humanist approach to cinema. His films often explore themes of memory, loss, and social pressure, and have earned him a reputation as a leading voice in contemporary Korean and world cinema. The Venice award for «Possible Love» adds to a career that has consistently drawn critical praise at major international festivals.
The Silver Lion win places «Possible Love» among the most talked-about titles of this year's Venice Film Festival. The prize, awarded by the festival jury, is one of the event's top honors and often signals a film's strong prospects on the international circuit. For Netflix, securing worldwide streaming rights to Lee's previous works is a strategic addition to its growing library of prestige international cinema.
Subscribers in the United States and other markets will soon be able to watch the director's earlier films alongside «Possible Love» when it eventually arrives on the platform. The expansion reflects the increasing global appetite for Korean cinema, which has seen a surge in popularity in recent years across streaming services and theaters alike.
Lee's filmography is marked by a relatively small but highly influential body of work. «Peppermint Candy», released in 1999, is often cited as a landmark of Korean cinema, while «Secret Sunshine» earned widespread acclaim and international awards. «Green Fish», his debut feature, introduced the themes and visual style that would define his later films.
The worldwide streaming rollout is expected to introduce Lee's work to new audiences who may have discovered him through the Venice buzz around «Possible Love». For longtime fans, the expanded Netflix catalog offers a convenient way to revisit or complete their viewing of his films.
As «Possible Love» prepares for its South Korean theatrical release, the combination of the Venice prize and the Netflix expansion positions Lee Chang-dong for a renewed moment in the global spotlight. The director's ability to blend intimate character studies with broader social commentary has made his films enduring favorites among critics and cinephiles, and the streaming deal ensures that his earlier achievements will remain accessible to viewers worldwide.
