Director Lee Chang-dong Returns With the Class-Conscious Drama 'Possible Love'

Writer-director Lee Chang-dong has returned with a new film titled *Possible Love*, marking his first feature since his 2018 psychological thriller *Burning*. The film is scheduled to release in select theaters on Friday and will begin streaming on Netflix on November 6.

Inspiration and Plot Overview

*Possible Love* was inspired by a 2009 incident in Korea where a car factory laid off a third of its workers, leading to a union strike that was shut down by police and followed by numerous suicides among workers. Co-written by Lee and Oh Jung-mi, the film follows a married couple two years after a similar tragedy struck an industrial town:

• Ho-seok (Sul Kyung-gu): A laid-off welder now working elsewhere, struggling with alcoholism and lingering trauma from his termination.
• Mi-ok (Jeon Do-yeon): Ho-seok's wife, who works at a face mask manufacturing company and serves as the emotional anchor for their family and young son.

Encounters and Themes

Early in the narrative, the couple encounters Ye-ji, an aspiring filmmaker shooting a documentary about the layoffs. While Mi-ok agrees to be interviewed and shares elements of her past through flashbacks, the relationship between the two women highlights stark differences in class, wealth, and power. Ye-ji's wealthy husband is played by Zo In-sung, while Cho Yeo-jeong portrays Ye-ji.

Critics have compared the film's class-conscious themes to *Parasite*, though reviewers note that *Possible Love* adopts a more novelistic depth and character-driven approach.

Practical Implications and Verification

• Viewers interested in seeing *Possible Love* can check local listings for select theatrical screenings starting Friday or prepare for its Netflix release on November 6.
• Verification of release schedules and details can be conducted by checking official distributor announcements or platform updates directly.