South Korean cinema has made waves globally, but the 2025 Cannes Film Festival lineup, announced on April 10, 2025, left fans stunned. For the first time in 12 years, no South Korean films were selected for major categories. High-profile movies like Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, The Journey to Gyeongju, and The Ugly were submitted but didn’t make the cut. This marks the third year in a row without South Korean films in the festival’s main competition. Here’s a detailed look at what happened and why these films matter.
Why South Korean Films Were Absent This Year
The 78th Cannes Film Festival, set for May 13 to 24, 2025, revealed its selections at a press conference in Paris. Organizers Iris Knobloch and Thierry Frémaux shared the lineup, which included diverse global films but excluded South Korean entries from all major sections. These sections include Competition, Un Certain Regard, Out of Competition, Midnight Screenings, and Cannes Premiere.
South Korea submitted several films, hoping to continue its strong Cannes legacy. In 2019, Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite won the Palme d’Or. In 2022, Park Chan-wook earned Best Director for Decision to Leave, and Song Kang-ho took Best Actor for Broker. Despite this history, 2025 saw no South Korean films in the main categories, a gap not seen since 2013.
Two South Korean films did appear in non-competitive sections. Ryoo Seung-wan’s crime-action movie I, the Executioner was picked for Midnight Screenings. Kim Lyang’s documentary Walking in the Movies, about Busan International Film Festival founder Kim Dong-ho, was chosen for Cannes Classics. While these selections are notable, they don’t compete for major awards like the Palme d’Or.
Some expected films, like Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice and Na Hong-jin’s Hope, weren’t submitted. Both are still in post-production, missing the March 14, 2025, deadline. This left fans and industry experts disappointed, as many hoped these titles would shine at Cannes.
“It’s surprising to see no Korean films in the main lineup after such a strong run,” said a film critic on social media. “The submitted films had big names and buzz, but Cannes went a different way this year.”
The Films That Missed the Mark
South Korea pinned hopes on three major films, each with unique stories and star power. Here’s a closer look at the ones that didn’t make it.
Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint: A Star-Studded Fantasy Epic
Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, directed by Kim Byung-woo, was a top contender. Based on a hit web novel by Sing N Song, it follows Kim Dok-ja, an office worker who knows the plot of a fantasy story that becomes reality. He teams up with the story’s hero, Yoo Joong-hyuk, to save the world.
The film boasts a blockbuster cast:
Ahn Hyo-seop as Kim Dok-ja
Lee Min-ho as Yoo Joong-hyuk
BLACKPINK’s Jisoo as Lee Ji-hye
Chae Soo-bin as Yoo Sang-a
Shin Seung-ho as Lee Hyeon-seong
Nana as Jeong Hee-won
Park Ho-san as Kong Pil-du
Choi Young-joon as Han Myeong-o
Filming wrapped in May 2024, with a budget of about 30 billion KRW (roughly $22 million USD). The movie, set for release in July 2025, is the first of a planned five-part series. Its trailer, released in February 2025, shows Kim Dok-ja on a chaotic subway, hinting at the novel’s apocalyptic world.
Fans were vocal about changes from the source material, especially character portrayals. Producer Won Dong-yeon responded to concerns:
“Before making the movie, we showed the entire script to the original author in advance and explained all the adaptations. The author fully understood and accepted them. We hope for the strong support of the original fans. This is the version with Yoo Joong-hyuk holding a sword. When adapting an original work into a film, cinematic modifications are always necessary.”
Despite the hype, the film wasn’t selected. Some speculated it might have landed in a non-competitive section, like Un Certain Regard or Midnight Screenings, but it missed those too.
The Journey to Gyeongju: A Tale of Revenge
Directed by Kim Mi-jo, The Journey to Gyeongju tells the story of four mothers and daughters traveling to Gyeongju to avenge a family member’s death. The film stars Gong Hyo-jin, Lee Jung-eun, Park So-dam, and Lee Yeon. Production finished in August 2024, raising hopes for a Cannes nod.
The movie’s emotional depth and strong cast made it a contender. Gong Hyo-jin, known for When the Camellia Blooms, and Park So-dam, from Parasite, brought star power. Yet, it didn’t secure a spot in any category, leaving fans puzzled.
The Ugly: A Bold New Vision
Yeon Sang-ho, famous for Train to Busan, directed The Ugly. The film stars Park Jung-min and Kwon Hae-hyo. Details about the plot are scarce, but Yeon’s track record at Cannes—Train to Busan in 2016 and Peninsula in 2020—sparked expectations. Still, it wasn’t chosen, adding to the disappointment.
Some sources noted this film was submitted under the title Face, but it’s the same project. Its absence from the lineup fueled discussions about Cannes’ selection process.
What This Means for South Korean Cinema
The lack of South Korean films in major Cannes categories has sparked debate. Industry insiders wonder if this is a temporary dip or a sign of shifting festival priorities. South Korea’s global influence, from Parasite’s Oscar sweep to K-dramas dominating streaming, remains strong. Yet, three years without a main competition entry—since Broker and Decision to Leave in 2022—has raised eyebrows.
Fans expressed mixed feelings online:
“I was rooting for Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint. Jisoo and Lee Min-ho on the Cannes red carpet would’ve been iconic.”
“Cannes missed out on The Journey to Gyeongju. That cast is unreal.”
“It’s okay. Korean films will bounce back. Maybe 2026 is our year.”
Some point to unfinished projects as a factor. No Other Choice, starring Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin, and Hope, with Hwang Jung-min, were not ready for submission. Others suggest Cannes may favor art-house films over commercial projects like Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint.
Still, optimism persists. The inclusion of I, the Executioner and Walking in the Movies shows South Korea’s presence, even if not in the spotlight. Fans and filmmakers are already looking to 2026, hoping delayed projects will shine.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Cannes Film Festival will feature other highlights, like Robert De Niro receiving an Honorary Palme d’Or and Amélie Bonin’s Leave One Day as the opening film. For South Korean cinema, the focus shifts to upcoming releases. Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint is set for July 2025, with global buzz growing. The Journey to Gyeongju and The Ugly are also expected to hit theaters soon, proving South Korea’s film industry remains vibrant.
