Korean film “The World of Love” has secured a distribution deal in China 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 today’s landscape, as “Oh! My Gran” was the only Korean film to receive an official Chinese theatrical release in the last 10 years, when it was released in 2021.
The Chinese distributor specializes in arthouse cinema, with experience in organizing international film festivals. 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, making 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 had its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival and won the Roberto Rossellini Jury Prize and the Audience Award in the Crouching Tigers section of the Pingyao International Film Festival. Chinese interest increased after the festival’s Asian premiere, with strong buzz and reviews from local audiences on platforms such as Douban.
The film is produced by Semosi and Vol Media, with Barunson E&A – the South Korean studio behind the Oscar-winning “Parasite” and Kim Jee-woon’s Cannes title “Cobweb” – serving as both presenting studio and sales agent.
The China deal joins previously announced distribution deals with Japanese distributor Bitters End, Hong Kong’s Edko Films and Taiwan’s Andrews Film in major Asian territories.
