Korean film “The World of Love” has secured a Chinese distribution deal with Light Films Limited, marking a significant breakthrough in a market that has been largely closed to Korean cinema for nearly a decade.
The acquisition by Light Films Limited represents a rare achievement in the current landscape, as “Oh! My Gran” was the only Korean film to receive an official Chinese theatrical release in the past 10 years, when it opened in 2021.
The Chinese distributor specializes in arthouse cinema, with a track record of curating international film festival standouts. Its notable acquisitions include Kim Do-young’s “Kim Ji-Young: Born 1982,” Kore-eda Hirokazu’s “Nobody Knows,” and Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite.”
“The perspective of this feminist film is refreshingly new,” said Li Na, CEO of Light Films. “While it explores trauma and its lasting impact, its underlying tone is warm and uplifting, which makes it all the more moving and encouraging.”
Directed by Yoon Ga-eun, acclaimed for “The World of Us” (Berlinale 2016) and “The House of Us” (BFI London 2019), the drama centers on 17-year-old Lee Jooin (Seo Su-bin), an unpredictable high school student whose angry outburst creates ripple effects throughout her world.
The film world premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and took home both the Roberto Rossellini Awards Jury Prize and the People’s Choice Award in the Pingyao International Film Festival‘s Crouching Tigers section. Chinese interest surged following the festival’s Asian premiere, with strong buzz and reviews from local audiences on platforms including Douban.
The film is produced by Semosi and Vol Media, with Barunson E&A — the South Korean studio behind Oscar-winning “Parasite” and Kim Jee-woon’s Cannes title “Cobweb” — serving as both presenting studio and sales agent.
The Chinese deal joins previously announced distribution agreements with veteran Japanese distributor Bitters End, Hong Kong’s Edko Films, and Taiwan’s Andrews Film across key Asian territories.
