A first look at Hope, arguably the most anticipated Korean film of 2026, has finally been unveiled.
The Cannes Film Festival released a 91-second clip of the film—a contender in this year’s main competition on May 10th.
The footage introduces Beom Seok (played by Hwang Jung Min), the local substation chief of Ho-po Port, and a village youth named Seong Gi (Zo In Sung). The two are dispatched after receiving reports of a tiger sighting in their remote town near the Demilitarized Zone.
In the clip, Seong Gi points toward a faint silhouette in the road, guiding, “Hey, it’s over there.” Beom Seok gazes ahead, questioning, “Is it dead in the middle of the road?” The tension escalates as Beom Seok confronts a group of armed young men, commanding, “You all come to the office later, with these guns.”
While the video keeps the “thing” hidden from view, the mysterious and chilling atmosphere characteristic of Na Hong Jin is palpable.
Hope marks director Na Hong Jin’s first film in a decade, following his acclaimed hits The Chaser, The Yellow Sea and The Wailing. The blockbuster boasts a star-studded international cast including Hwang Jung Min, Zo In Sung, Jung Ho Yeon, Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander.
The film will compete for the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, which opens on May 12th. Cannes General Delegate Thierry Frémaux praised the film’s selection, stating, “It is a film that constantly crosses genres throughout its runtime of over two hours. It captures a facet of history that has never been explored before.”
With a massive 160-minute runtime—Na’s longest to date—Hope will make its world premiere at Cannes before hitting Korean theaters this summer.
>> ‘Hope’ Gets North American Release After Cannes Nod
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