Lee Min-ho’s Latest Project Faced a Twist No One Saw Coming—in 12 Years, It’s a First

While Korean content—especially in drama and music—continues to captivate global audiences, the very medium that once sparked the global K-wave, Korean cinema, is now facing a concerning slump.

Despite the global impact of Bong Joon-ho’s 'Parasite,' which swept the Academy Awards and brought international recognition to Korean films, not a single Korean film was invited to the 2025 Cannes Film Festival—marking a major setback.

The official lineup for the 78th Cannes Film Festival, scheduled to run from May 13 to 24, was announced on April 10 (KST), and no Korean titles were included, not even in the non-competition sections. This is the first time in 12 years—since 2013—that Korean cinema will be completely absent from the festival.

Numerous Korean films were submitted in hopes of making it to the prestigious event, including The Prophet: Omniscient Reader' starring Ahn Hyo-seop and Lee Min-ho, and 'The Journey to Gyeongju' featuring Gong Hyo-jin and Lee Jung-eun. However, none made the cut. Even Yeon Sang-ho, who had previously made it to Cannes with 'Train to Busan' and 'Peninsula', failed to earn an invitation this year for his new project 'The Ugly.'

Two of the most anticipated Korean films—Park Chan-wook’s 'No Other Choice' and Na Hong-jin’s 'Hope'—missed the deadline for submission as both are still in post-production. Reports suggest that Park is now aiming for the Venice International Film Festival in August, while Na is eyeing next year’s Cannes.

While some see this year’s result as a one-off, many within the industry have expressed concerns about the gradual stagnation of Korean cinema in recent years. Despite major wins in 2019 and 2022—Parasite winning the Palme d'Or, Park Chan-wook winning Best Director for Decision to Leave, and Song Kang-ho earning Best Actor for Broker—Korean films have failed to return to Cannes' main competition lineup for two consecutive years since 2023.

This has led to a growing sentiment that without new works from top auteurs like Bong and Park, Korean cinema may struggle to remain competitive on the global festival circuit. As Korea faces another year without representation at Cannes, the film industry is now tasked with reasserting its presence on the global stage.

'The Prophet: Omniscient Reader': A High-Stakes Fantasy Epic to Watch

Despite the Cannes snub, 'The Prophet: Omniscient Reader' remains one of the most anticipated Korean blockbusters of the year. Based on a hit web novel of the same name, the film blends fantasy, action, and apocalyptic drama, following the journey of Kim Dok-ja, the only person who knows the ending of a novel-turned-reality. Teaming up with the novel’s original protagonist, Yoo Joong-hyuk, they work to save the world.

The lead roles are played by Ahn Hyo-seop (as Kim Dok-ja) and Lee Min-ho (as Yoo Joong-hyuk), whose casting alone generated major buzz. The ensemble also features Chae Soo-bin, Shin Seung-ho, and Nana, forming a powerhouse lineup that has fans eagerly awaiting the release.

With a production budget of approximately 30 billion KRW, the film boasts large-scale action and intense disaster sequences.

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