Korean cinema is back on the Cannes stage, with two films officially invited after last year’s notable absence.
At the 79th Cannes Film Festival lineup announcement on April 9th (local time in Paris), director Na Hong Jin’s Hope was named as a Competition selection—marking Korea’s return to the category for the first time in four years.
Hope follows a local officer stationed near the Korean Demilitarized Zone who hears reports of a tiger sighting, setting off a chain of increasingly surreal events in a village thrown into chaos. Blending sci-fi, action, and thriller elements, the film stars Hwang Jung Min, Zo In Sung, and Jung Ho Yeon, alongside Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander.
This marks Na Hong Jin’s first time competing for the Palme d’Or, though he’s no stranger to Cannes. His previous films The Chaser (2008), The Yellow Sea (2010), and The Wailing (2016) were all invited to various sections. With Hope, he joins the ranks of Korean directors like Bong Joon Ho, Park Chan Wook, Lee Chang Dong, and Hong Sang Soo who have competed at the festival.
Also making the cut this year is Yeon Sang Ho’s Colony, which has been selected for the Midnight Screening section. The film centers on survivors trapped inside a quarantined building during a mysterious outbreak, facing infected individuals that evolve in unpredictable ways. The cast includes Jun Ji Hyun, Koo Kyo Hwan, Ji Chang Wook, Shin Hyun Been, Kim Shin Rock, and Go Soo.
Yeon Sang Ho returns to Cannes six years after his last invitation. His animated feature The King of Pigs screened at Directors’ Fortnight in 2012, while Train to Busan famously premiered in the Midnight section in 2016. Colony marks his return to the red carpet after a decade.
Cannes—alongside Berlin and Venice—is considered one of the world’s top three film festivals. This year’s edition runs from May 12th to 23rd in the southern French city, with director Park Chan Wook set to serve as head of the Competition jury.
After a quiet year in 2025, Korea’s double selection signals a strong comeback—and renewed global momentum for its film industry.
>> Na Hong Jin’s ‘Hope’ Reveals Stunning Teaser Poster Ahead of Summer 2026 Release
In the meantime, watch trending K-dramas for free on Amasian TV.
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