[Edaily Starin YUN GI BACK Reporter] Actor Jo In-sung has set another milestone in his career by having his name appear consecutively on two of the most prestigious stages in the global film industry this year. Following his role in Director Na Hong-jin’s *Hope*, his performance in Director Lee Chang-dong’s *Possible Love* was also invited to the competition sections of the world’s three major film festivals in the same year, once again proving his status as an actor who excels in both commercial success and artistic merit.

Netflix announced on the 24th that the film “Possible Love” has been officially invited to the competition section of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, which runs from September 2 to 12 (local time). With this, Jo In-sung has set a record by advancing to the competition sections of the world’s three major film festivals with two leading roles this year—first with “Hope” and now with “Possible Love.”
Previously, Jo In-sung walked the red carpet in the competition section of the 78th Cannes International Film Festival for director Na Hong-jin’s *Hope*. The Cannes Film Festival’s main competition is considered the most prestigious stage in the global film industry, and only films recognized for their artistic merit and quality are invited. With “Possible Love” now also invited to the Venice main competition, Jo In-sung is set to continue his rare feat of experiencing both Cannes and Venice in the same year.
This achievement is particularly significant given that both films are new works by master directors representing South Korea. “Hope” marks the return of director Na Hong-jin—known for “The Chaser,” “The Yellow Sea,” and “The Wailing”—after a 10-year hiatus, while “Possible Love” is director Lee Chang-dong’s comeback film, his first in eight years since “Burning.” With these two leading directors of the Korean film industry both casting Jo In-sung in the lead role in the same year—and both films advancing to the competition sections of world-renowned film festivals—Jo In-sung’s presence is once again drawing attention on the international stage.
“Possible Love” tells the story of a couple—one a laid-off worker and the other a documentary director—who meet while working on a documentary and come face-to-face with each other’s different lives and hidden desires. Jeon Do-yeon, Seol Kyung-gu, and Jo Yeo-jeong co-star, while Jo In-sung takes on the role of the documentary producer and the director’s husband, showcasing yet another transformation in his acting.
The Venice International Film Festival is considered one of the world’s three major film festivals, alongside the Cannes International Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival. In particular, the Competition section is the core section where films vie for the festival’s top prize, the Golden Lion, and only films recognized for their artistic merit and quality are invited.
*Possible Love*’s selection for the Competition Section marks a significant milestone for Korean cinema. Following director Park Chan-wook’s *I Can’t Help It* last year, this marks the second consecutive year that a Korean film has been selected for the Venice Competition Section, and director Lee Chang-dong has returned to the Venice Competition stage for the first time in 24 years since *Oasis*.
Jo In-sung is also building a more impressive filmography this year than anyone else. This summer, he showcased intense action and genre-specific acting in *Hope*, and in *Possible Love*, he is set to reveal another side of himself by leading the kind of profound human drama characteristic of director Lee Chang-dong.
“Possible Love” will have its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival before being released to viewers worldwide on Netflix.