Surprising K-Drama, Despite 2% Ratings, Nominated at this Renowned International Film Festival

Director Na Ji-hyun's ‘O’PENing (2024) has been selected for the International Competition section at the 43rd Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF).

According to the Korean Cultural Center in Belgium, five Korean films have been nominated in six competition categories at the festival, which runs until the 20th of this month. Among them, Shin Jae-min’s ‘Commission’ and Min Kyu-dong’s ‘The Old Woman With The Knife (Pa-Gwa)’ have been included in the thriller competition section.

Additionally, Heo Beom-wook's ‘The Pig That Survived Foot-and-Mouth Disease’ is nominated in the experimental film section, while Jeong Jae-hee's short film ‘Wanna Die Wanna Kill’ is in the international short film competition section. Furthermore, Ryu Seung-wan’s ‘Veteran 2’ has been invited to the non-competitive section, making it one of 11 Korean films to be screened at the festival.

The ‘O’PENing (2024)' drama, which is competing in the international competition, was originally aired on tvN and OCN Movies2 on October 8 last year. ‘O’PENing (2024)’ is a story about a top actor from South Korea who, under unavoidable circumstances, enters a virtual reality world and is tasked with "playing the role of a father and protecting his child." As the character gradually starts to love his son with the heart of a real father, he faces shocking truths. According to Nielsen Korea, the drama achieved a disappointing viewership rating of 2.1%, but despite its low performance, it garnered a loyal following due to the actors' powerful performances and the unique storyline.

Some viewers shared their thoughts online, commenting: "The charm of a twist-filled one-act drama," "The plot was fresh," "I hope there are more one-act dramas," "The drama is immersive and leaves a lasting impression," "The development was satisfying," and "The ending makes you think a lot," highlighting the innovative nature of the content.

‘O’PENing is part of the drama project featuring works by new writers supported by CJ ENM’s O’PEN initiative, which helps promote emerging talent. The project has been receiving positive reviews for its fresh attempts and creative formats, earning invitations to various international film festivals.

The announcement of the winners for each category and the awards ceremony for the 43rd BIFFF will take place on the 18th.

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