Two Korean Films Enter Cannes Film Festival Competition Section Simultaneously

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] Two Korean films, director Park Chan-wook's "Decision to Leave" and director Hirokazu Koreeda's "Broker," have both been selected for the competition section at the Cannes International Film Festival.

The Cannes International Film Festival Executive Committee announced the official selections for the 75th festival, which will be held next month, on the 14th (local time).

This is the first time in five years since 2017 that two Korean films have simultaneously entered the competition section. At that time, director Bong Joon-ho's "Okja" and director Hong Sang-soo's "The Day After" were invited to the competition.

"Broker" is directed by the Japanese master Koreeda, but it is a Korean film produced by the film company Zip Cinema and invested and distributed by CJ ENM.

Focusing on the "baby box," a social issue in Korea, director Koreeda wrote the screenplay and filmed the movie in Korea with representative Korean actors such as Song Kang-ho, Gang Dong-won, Bae Doo-na, and Lee Ji-eun (IU).

Director Koreeda is a representative Japanese director beloved by Cannes. He has been selected for the Cannes competition section five times, winning the Jury Prize for "Like Father, Like Son" (2013) and the Palme d'Or for "Shoplifters" (2018).

Director Park Chan-wook also received the Jury Grand Prix for "Oldboy" (2004) and the Jury Prize for "Thirst" (2009), and after six years since "The Handmaiden" in 2016, he has returned to the competition section.

"Decision to Leave," co-written by Park's longtime partner writer Jung Seo-kyung, tells the story of detective Hae-joon, who investigates a death case and meets the deceased's wife Seo-rae, developing both suspicion and interest. The film stars Tang Wei and Park Hae-il.

Lee Jung-jae's directorial debut, the spy action film "Hunt," was invited to the Midnight Screening section. The "Midnight Screening" is a non-competition section showcasing genre films that combine artistic quality and popular appeal.