Bechdel Day 2025, a cultural content festival spotlighting gender equity and diversity in Korean film and series, has unveiled this year’s Bechdel Choice 10—a selection of ten standout films that push the boundaries of female representation on screen.
Hosted and curated by the Directors Guild of Korea (DGK), this year’s lineup includes: Dark Nuns, Blesser, Concerning My Daughter, Lucky, Apartment, Revolver, Victory, My Best, Your Least, The Old Woman With The Knife, Hi-Five, and Because I Hate Korea.
The selections were made by a jury including producer Koo Jung Ah (Little Forest, Josée), director Min Yong Keun (Re-encounter, Soulmate), critic Sung Chan Eol, and programmer Lee Hwa Jung.
Black Nuns drew praise for centering nuns—not priests—as exorcists, with Koo calling it “a rare Korean film where female protagonists embody both conviction and professional duty.” Meanwhile, female-led noir action dramas The Old Woman With The Knife and Revolver were lauded for flipping a traditionally male-dominated genre through a feminist lens.
The superhero film Hi-Five, which features an older woman as a lead, was commended for breaking age and gender stereotypes in the superhero genre.
On the indie front, Blesser offered a layered portrayal of a mother raising a disabled child, tackling not just maternal love but also career stagnation. Films like Because I Hate Korea and Lucky, Apartment explored themes of discrimination, queer identity, and societal desensitization through bold and original storytelling.
Family and female solidarity were central themes in Concerning My Daughter, which examines generational conflict and societal expectations. My Best, Your Least follows a pregnant student and her teacher navigating moral complexities, while Victory portrays a group of cheerleaders building bonds through shared struggle and triumph.
Programmer Lee Hwa Jung noted an encouraging trend this year: “More male directors are creating female-led stories, signaling a shift where women are no longer boxed in by gender but recognized as central figures in compelling narratives.” However, she also pointed out the continued difficulty female filmmakers face entering Korea’s commercial film space, especially as debut directors.
Bechdel Day 2025 will run on September 6th and 7th at KU Cinematheque, featuring free screenings, guest talks with this year’s “Bechdelians,” and special panels aimed at spotlighting feminist storytelling in Korean cinema.
>> Bechdel Choice 10 of 2024: ‘Smugglers’, ‘Citizen of a Kind’, ‘Sleep’ and More
Source: DGK
