Korean directors return to Cannes as 79th iteration kicks off

Korean directors return to Cannes as 79th iteration kicks off

Published: 12 May. 2026, 19:10

Updated: 12 May. 2026, 19:13

Director Yeon Sang-ho is seen during a press conference for his film ″Colony″ in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on April 6. [YONHAP]

After a year in the shadows, Korean genre cinema is mounting a comeback at Cannes.

The 79th Cannes Film Festival, where director Na Hong-Jin’s sci-fi action thriller “Hope” will compete for the Palme d’Or, is due to kick off on Tuesday in the southern French city of Cannes.

Director Yeon Sang-ho, known for “Train to Busan” (2016) and “Peninsula” (2020), will return to the festival’s Midnight Screenings section with his new film “Colony,” a decade after “Train to Busan” screened in the same category. Midnight Screenings section curates films of genre-fluid action, thrillers and horror.

Actors Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung and Jung Ho-yeon from “Hope” and Jun Ji-hyun and Koo Kyo-hwan from “Colony” are expected to light up the red carpet.

Korean cinema is seeking redemption at Cannes a year after being shut out of the festival’s feature film section.

Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook [YONHAP]

Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, who is serving as president of the jury for the feature films competition section, will review the entries alongside Hollywood actor Demi Moore and other panelists. The jury president also presents the Palme d'Or, the festival’s top prize.

Korean cinema has long drawn attention at Cannes for genre films infused with auteur sensibilities, becoming a regular presence in the Midnight Screenings section, which traditionally showcases pieces of popular cinema.

Na’s first-ever entry into the main competition with “Hope” is seen as an extension of that trend.

It may also signal a generational shift, breaking what had effectively become a monopoly on Cannes invitations to major sections by four Korean filmmakers: Park Chan-wook, Bong Joon Ho, Hong Sang-soo and Lee Chang-dong.

Na has been on Cannes’ radar since his debut thriller “The Chaser” (2008) was invited to the Midnight Screenings section in the year of its release.

His noir action film “The Yellow Sea” screened in the Un Certain Regard section in 2011, while the mystery thriller “The Wailing” was presented in the out of competition section in 2016. Un Certain Regard is a sidebar section which sheds lights on films worth paying attention to.

Actor Zo In-sung is seen in a still from the film ″Hope.″ [PLUS M ENTERTAINMENT]

Na's fourth feature, “Hope,” has been selected for the main competition Palme d’Or section at this year’s festival.

Set to premiere on Sunday, “Hope” follows the struggle of residents in a remote port village near the demilitarized zone after sightings of a mysterious entity. Hollywood stars Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Taylor Russell appear as alien characters alongside Korean actors.

As the Cannes Film Festival has invited fewer major Hollywood blockbusters than usual, “Hope” has drawn even greater attention for its star-studded cast.

Among the festival’s official competition lineup with 22 entries, Japanese cinema once again showed a strong presence, following last year’s momentum.

A poster from the film ″Dora″ (2025) [JOONGANG ILBO]

Three Japanese films were invited, including new works by Palme d’Or winner Hirokazu Kore-eda as well as directors Ryusuke Hamaguchi and Koji Fukada.

Spain also secured three competition slots, including the autobiographical “Amarga Navidad” by acclaimed director Pedro Almodóvar and the films “El Ser Querido” and “La Bola Negra.”

Na’s “Hope” will compete against new works by celebrated filmmakers, including Romania’s Cristian Mungiu, Iran’s Asghar Farhadi and Belgian rising star Lukas Dhont.

Director Jung Joo-ri's upcoming film “Dora” (2025) has been invited to the noncompetitive section of the Cannes Film Festival this year. The film, a Korean European coproduction, stars Japanese actor Sakura Ando alongside Kim Do-yeon and Song Sae-byeok.

All of Jung’s feature films have screened at Cannes. Her debut “A Girl at My Door” (2014) was invited to Un Certain Regard, while “Next Sohee” (2022) closed the festival’s Critics’ Week.

In La Cinef division, which highlights films from film schools, “Bird Rhapsody” (2025) by Choi Won-jung of Hongik University and “Silent Voices” by Korean American Nadine Misong Jin were selected.

For the Immersive Competition selection, which encompasses works of large-scale video projection to virtual reality works, “VOOOOOO — PEEEEEE---” by Korean directors Woo Hyeun-joo and Park Ji-yun was listed.

A poster for the short film "Bird Rhapsody" (2025) [JOONGANG ILBO]

This year’s honorary Palme d'Or for lifetime achievement will be given to New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson, director of the “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy (2001-03). Actor-singer Barbra Streisand is set to receive the same award.

Hollywood actor John Travolta will make his directorial debut at the age of 72 with “Propeller One-Way Night Coach,” which will be screened in the Premiere section.

This year’s Cannes Film Festival runs through May 23.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

BY NA WON-JEONG [

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