A new wave of female filmmakers is reshaping Korean cinema by reworking genre conventions and drawing international attention. Kim Mi-jo’s The Journey to Gyeong-ju, Lee Ji-won’s Portrait of A Family, and Yoon Dan-bi’s The World Before are helping revive domestic theaters during a prolonged slump. The article says the momentum may broaden cinematic diversity, but box office success remains uncertain.
Posters for director Kim Mi-jo's "The Journey to Gyeong-ju," left, and director Lee Ji-won's "Portrait of A Family" / Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment, Content Zio
A new wave of female filmmakers is actively reworking genre conventions to broaden the scope of Korean cinema, with their projects earning international recognition and breathing new life into domestic theaters as the industry recovers from a prolonged slump.
Director Kim Mi-jo's new film, "The Journey to Gyeong-ju," has opened to positive reviews. The film follows a mother and three daughters seeking revenge for their youngest sister, Gyeong-ju, who never returned from a school trip. Following her 2021 debut "Gull," Kim breaks away from standard revenge tropes to offer a layered portrayal of the grief of those left behind.
The film earned international recognition before its official release, winning Audience Awards at the 45th Hawaii International Film Festival and the 24th Florence Korea Film Fest. It was selected for the 30th Fantasia International Film Festival and the 6th Barcelona Korean Film Festival.
