Festival Guests

Director KIM Do-young left a powerful impression on the Korean film scene with her debut feature <Kim Ji-Young, Born 1982> (2019), which resonated with 3.67 million viewers. Her keen ability to observe the details of everyday life and expand them into emotionally rich cinematic language earned her the Best New Director awards at both the 25th Chunsa Film Festival and the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards in 2020.

In her new film <Once We Were Us>, KIM deepens her signature sensibility, her rare gift for reading the subtle “grain” of human relationships. Describing the film as “a story of parting well with our beloved twenties, and with the love we ruined and lost,” KIM captures universal experiences familiar to anyone such as the thrill and confusion of young love, the excitement and regret that accompany growing up, and the inevitable breakup that arrives like a rite of passage. Her directions gently elevate the emotional rhythm of the actors while finely capturing the smallest shifts in their inner world. Through this meticulous approach, <Once We Were Us> is made complete as a heart rendering and resonant romance.

Lee Hwan is an actor and film director. His feature debut, <PARK HWA-YOUNG> (2017), was invited to the Korean Cinema Today - Vision section of the Busan International Film Festival.

His second feature, <Young Adult Matters> (2020), was also invited to the Busan International Film Festival, where it won the Directors Guild of Korea Megabox Award and the KTH Award. He also directed the short film <HOME> (2013). His works are highly regarded for their unvarnished, visceral portrayals of societal outcasts and the complex bonds of youth.

Marking his highly anticipated commercial debut, Lee Hwan wrote and directed the neo-noir crime drama <Project Y> (2026). The film had its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and was highly praised for Lee's genre-bending take on the male-dominated crime noir genre.

Born in 1988, Director KIM Jin-yu is based in Gangwon Province in South Korea and serves as Festival Director of the Jeongdongjin Independent Film Festival.

As a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), he directed the short film <Do You Hear What I Hear?> (2014) and the feature film <Bori> (2018), based on his own experiences.

His feature debut <Bori> (2018) gained attention after winning the Directors Guild of Korea Award at the 23rd Busan International Film Festival.

<JOURNEY THERE> is his second feature film, which also has been awarded the KBS Independent Film Award at the 30th Busan International Film Festival.

KO Kyung-pyo, born on June 11, 1990, in Incheon, South Korea, is an accomplished actor and producer recognized for his versatility and compelling performances across both film and television. He made his acting debut in 2010 and gained early recognition through the sitcom <Potato Star> (2013) and the comedy program <SNL Korea>. His breakthrough came with the hit television series <Reply 1988> (2015–2016), where his portrayal of Sun-woo earned widespread acclaim and established him as one of Korea’s leading actors of his generation.

Since then, KO has taken on a wide range of roles in acclaimed television dramas, including <Chicago Typewriter> (2017), <Strongest Deliveryman> (2017), <Cross> (2018), <Private Lives> (2020), <Love in Contract> (2022), <Connect> (2022), and <Frankly Speaking> (2024). Praised for his nuanced emotional expression and natural screen presence, he has successfully navigated genres ranging from romance and comedy to thriller and drama.

KO has also built a distinguished film career through performances in <Chinatown> (2015), <The Treacherous> (2015), <Seven Years of Night> (2018), <Decision to Leave> (2022), <6/45> (2022), <Seoul Vibe> (2022), and <Amazon Bullseye> (2024). Comfortable in both commercial and independent productions, he continues to demonstrate remarkable range and artistic ambition through his diverse body of work.

Expanding his creative pursuits beyond acting, KO co-founded the film production company FILMER, where he actively develops and produces original feature films. In 2025, he served as both lead actor and producer on <The Maze>, further establishing himself as a multifaceted storyteller. Through his continued work in front of and behind the camera, KO Kyung-pyo has emerged as one of the most respected and versatile artists in contemporary Korean cinema and television.

KANG Taeu is an actor and producer born on March 25, 1989, in Pohang, South Korea. Since making his screen debut in the film <On the Beach at Night Alone> (2017), he has steadily built his career across both independent and commercial cinema.

His notable acting credits include <Claire’s Camera> (2017), <Lucky Chan-sil> (2020), <Somewhere in Between> (2020), <Tae-il> (2021), <House of the Seasons> (2024), and <Delivery> (2024). Through a diverse range of roles, he has continued to establish a distinctive presence in Korean cinema.

He is also the co-founder of the film production company FILMER, established alongside actor KO Kyung-pyo. As a producer, he participated in FILMER’s inaugural feature film <The Maze> (2025), which was officially invited to the 30th Busan International Film Festival. He is currently producing FILMER’s next feature project, <Family by Blood>, which is in development and production.