Korean Cinema

& Mini Focus: Park Syeyoung, Everything Becomes Cinema

The 27th JEONJU IFF Korean Cinema: Strong Presence of Documentaries

The JEONJU IFF Korean Cinema section presents films across all genres that qualify as Korean Premieres or higher, offering a broad view of current trends in Korean independent and art-house cinema.

This year’s Korean Cinema lineup features 20 feature films and 15 shorts, alongside nine additional works included in director PARK Syeyoung’s mini retrospective, bringing the total to 44 films. As in the competition sections, documentaries make a particularly strong showing among the non-competition selections.

From works grappling with sensitive political issues sparked by the attempted insurrection at the end of 2024 to deeply personal stories, the range of subjects is remarkably broad.

Cinematic Reflections on History and Society
The documentary THE SEOUL GUARDIANS (2026) is produced by KIM Jong Woo, KIM Shin Wan and CHO Chul Young, producers of PD Note, the long-running investigative journalism program of MBC, one of South Korea’s major national broadcasters. The film offers a vivid and suspenseful account of the events at the National Assembly on the night of December 3, 2024. By drawing parallels with Gwangju in 1980, the film forces audiences to confront the chilling possibility of a tragedy that was nearly repeated.

Moving beyond a single night, director MUN Jeonghyun’s Dark Beginnings (2026) examines the deep-seated issues of Korean society, from the impeachment of PARK Geun-hye to the calls for YOON Suk-yeol’s removal. It provides a multi-faceted look at a nation increasingly trapped in a cycle of hatred and structural conflict.

Finally, KIM Jongkwan’s The Yearbook: Waiting for the Teacher (2025) revisits the 1980 insurrection through a poignant local lens. When students at Shinheung High School planned a life-threatening protest against the military coup, their teachers stepped in to protect them from impending tragedy. This moving documentary follows the emotional reunion of those students and teachers decades later, healing the long-standing wounds of their shared past.

Notable Debut Works Selected by Programmer MOON Seok
We are excited to showcase three standout debut features handpicked by Programmer MOON Seok, featuring two World Premieres and one Korean Premiere ready to make their mark at JEONJU IFF.

In Ideal and Weird Family (2026), director KIM Jihyun delivers a poignant and unconventional look at family ties through a lesbian couple who, after deciding to divorce, embark on a final journey with their two adopted daughters. This film will have its world premiere at JEONJU IFF.

Another World Premiere film, SOAR (2025) by KIM Dasom, is a gripping story of resilience that follows a girl’s desperate struggle to escape her abusive father after an unexpected encounter with a woman searching for her missing daughter.

Finally, director ROH Youngwan presents Halo (2025), the winner of the Asian Future Best Film Award at last year's Tokyo International Film Festival, offering a raw and unflinching look at the grueling reality of a young man sacrificing everything to keep his family afloat.

Inside the Visionary World of PARK Syeyoung

This year, JEONJU IFF is proud to present a mini retrospective titled Mini Focus: Park Syeyoung, Everything Becomes Cinema, spotlighting PARK, a rising voice gaining significant acclaim both in Korea and on the global stage.

This program offers a rare look into PARK Syeyoung’s steadfast creative journey. Even while producing commercials, music videos, and promotional content to fund his independent projects, he has never compromised his distinct cinematic style. This exhibition is designed to revisit those persistent efforts and dive deep into his profound philosophy on cinema.

The retrospective features a selection of his short films, alongside his acclaimed feature The Fin (2025), which screened at the Locarno Film Festival last year. Audiences can also look forward to the World Premiere of La plante dansante de désastres (2026), a collaboration with gayageum performer JO Seonah, and the highly anticipated after hours (2026), which will also be presented to the world for the first time.

To find out more about the Korean Cinema and films, click here.

🚨Last Call for Badge Pre-Registration - April 14 17:00 (KST)

The deadline for badge pre-registration is fast approaching.

Pre-registration for badges will run until April 14 (Tue) at 17:00 (KST).

Click here to visit our badge website.

The International Competition showcases emerging filmmakers who have directed fewer than three feature films, with all selected works presented as Asian premieres. Among 421 submissions across 70 countries, 10 films were selected for this year’s lineup.

Click here to read more about the section.

Special Focus: New York Underground – The Mavericks, this year's special program at the JEONJU IFF, presents a cinematic arena of revolution through films by three artists who stood at the core of the New York Underground Cinema that dominated the 1960s and 1970s.

Click here to read more about the section.

The Local Independent Cinema Showcase aims to highlight the achievements and significance of regional independent film associations over the past year, offering an opportunity to reflect on their work with audiences. It empowers the regional independent filmmakers who continue to deliver significant artistic achievements despite navigating a challenging production landscape.

Click here to read more about the section.

• The 27th JEONJU IFF Korean Competition for Shorts and Local Cinema Selections Announced
• The 27th JEONJU IFF Announces Selected Films for the Korean Competition
• JEONJU’s Answer to Defining a True Auteur: The 27th JEONJU IFF Unveils the Masters Selection
• The 27th JEONJU IFF Presents Expanded Cinema: Bold Works Redefining Film as a Language
• The 27th JEONJU IFF Celebrates Special Focus : Ahn Sung-ki's Memorable Films Yet Rarely Seen
• JEONJU’s Ultimate Tribute to Cinema: The 27th JEONJU IFF Unveils Cinephile JEONJU
• The 27th JEONJU IFF Unveils Back to Hong Kong: Cinema + Avant-gard
• Cinema for Everyone, the 27th JEONJU IFF Presents Special Screening: WITHBOM (Barrier-free) Version
• From JEONJU to the World! JEONJU IFF Announces JEONJU Cinema Project Tour in TIFF Cinematheque

As the festival draws near, we have many more exciting updates and stories to share.

We can’t wait to welcome you all and see you very soon in Jeonju!

Bye for now, and see you again soon! 👋