Heavily Pregnant Kim Min-hee Absent as Hong Sang-soo Attends Berlinale Solo

Renowned filmmaker Hong Sang-soo was spotted departing for Berlin with his longtime partner, Kim Min-hee, yet he attended the Berlinale press conference alone, fueling speculation about Kim’s absence from the public eye.

On February 19, Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS) reported that Hong and Kim were seen boarding a Munich-bound flight at Incheon International Airport. Kim, who is reportedly expecting a child this spring, was dressed in a long coat, sunglasses, and a mask, keeping a low profile. This marked her first public appearance since pregnancy rumors surfaced in January.

Despite heightened curiosity over whether Kim would appear at official events, Hong attended the Berlinale press conference on February 20 at the Grand Hyatt Berlin alone. While Kim, credited as a production manager for Hong’s latest film A Traveler’s Needs, has regularly accompanied him to the Berlin International Film Festival, she did not appear this time—raising further speculation about her health and privacy concerns.

During the press conference, Hong shared insights into his latest film, explaining that the inspiration came from lead actress Kang So-i, who mentioned her parents raising chickens in the countryside. "What matters most to me is what I call ‘what is given.’ The fact that these people were there at that moment shaped this film," Hong stated.

He also emphasized his unique approach to filmmaking, saying, "I don’t start with a structured message or a pre-planned idea. I don’t decide on a story first and then choose the necessary elements—I let things unfold naturally."

A Strong Berlinale Connection

Hong’s latest work, A Traveler’s Needs, follows Dong-hwa (Ha Seong-guk), a poet in his 30s, who visits the countryside home of his girlfriend Jun-hee (Kang So-i)’s parents, leading to a series of introspective encounters.

Veteran actor Kwon Hae-hyo, who stars in the film, reflected on Hong’s spontaneous directing style, stating, "With Hong, we receive the script on the morning of the shoot. The key is to react authentically to our co-actors’ performances."

Hong has maintained a long-standing relationship with the Berlin International Film Festival, dating back to his 1997 debut The Day a Pig Fell into the Well, which was invited to the Forum section. Since then, 12 of his films have been showcased at Berlinale, with notable accolades, including:

2017: On the Beach at Night Alone – Best Actress (Kim Min-hee)

2020: The Woman Who Ran – Best Director

2021: Introduction – Best Screenplay

2022: The Novelist’s Film – Jury Grand Prize

With A Traveler’s Needs set for its Berlinale premiere on February 21, industry insiders are eagerly watching whether Hong will secure yet another award—and if Kim Min-hee will make a public appearance at the festival.