[Edaily Starin Reporter Choi Hee-jae ] Hollywood master director Christopher Nolan and the lead cast of the blockbuster “The Martian” have visited Korea. Going beyond mere promotional activities, they are winning the hearts of Korean movie fans with a Korea-tailored promotional campaign that immerses itself in Korean culture.

On the 1st, director Christopher Nolan, along with producer Emma Thomas, actor Matt Damon, and Charlize Theron, set foot on Korean soil ahead of the release of “Odyssey.” Although Director Nolan has drawn a cumulative audience of 36 million in Korea alone with films such as *Interstellar*, *Dunkirk*, *Tenet*, and *Oppenheimer*, this marks his first-ever visit to the country.
This visit holds special significance as it was made possible only after Director Nolan personally and actively requested it, following several previous cancellations. In a handwritten letter, Director Nolan expressed his feelings, saying, “I am sincerely grateful for the love and support from Korean fans. I am delighted to be able to present the film in person in Seoul.”
This move reflects his determination to personally reciprocate the support of Korean audiences, who have consistently driven each of Nolan’s films to explosive box office success—so much so that Korea is often referred to as “Nolan’s country.”

◇Watching a Baseball Game, Visiting Olive Young… A Visit Focused on Engaging with the Public
The “Odyssey” team’s itinerary in Korea was filled with activities designed to connect with the public. Lead actor Matt Damon drew attention by attending the “2026 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League” game between the Kiwoom Heroes and the SSG Landers at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome immediately after arriving in the country.
The entire “Odyssey” team’s visit to Chef Son Jong-won’s restaurant, Itanic Garden, also drew attention. After the meal, Director Nolan remarked, “That was the best meal ever.”
At a press conference held on the 3rd, Director Nolan and his wife, Emma Thomas, shared that they had enjoyed everyday life in Korea, including visiting a famous salt bread shop and Olive Young. Emma Thomas said, “My son’s girlfriend is Korean-American. She told me what to do in Korea.” Director Nolan also added, “Seoul is an amazing city.”

They also demonstrated a more proactive approach to engaging with major domestic broadcasters and media outlets. Director Nolan and Matt Damon will appear on tvN’s “You Quiz on the Block” (“You Quiz”) to meet Yoo Jae-suk. Director Nolan is scheduled to make back-to-back appearances on SBS’s “News Hunters” and film critic Lee Dong-jin’s YouTube channel, “Lee Dong-jin’s Piaiakia,” to discuss in-depth film topics.
In particular, the behind-the-scenes story of his surprise encounter with Director Park Chan-wook, revealed during the “News Hunters” broadcast, has drawn attention. Director Nolan joked, “When Director Park asked about my plans for my next project and I said I didn’t know, he told me, ‘Go on vacation, but don’t take too long a break for your next film.’ Honestly, hearing that made me even more tired.” He added, “Director Park is a master filmmaker I’ve long admired, and it’s always fascinating to see Korean creators reshaping global cultural trends.”

◇ Korea Becomes Asia’s Main Stage… Hollywood Also ‘Focuses’
In the past, Asian promotional tours for Hollywood blockbusters were mostly centered on the Japanese or Chinese markets. However, recent analyses suggest that South Korea has established itself as the key Asian promotional market for Hollywood films.
Not only for *The Odyssey*, but the lead actors of *The Devil Wears Prada 2*, which was released last April—Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway—also visited South Korea. In particular, Meryl Streep’s first official visit to South Korea drew significant attention, while Anne Hathaway’s return to the country after an eight-year absence also attracted considerable interest. Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway also appeared on “You Quiz” and interacted warmly with Korean audiences.
At a press conference held at the time, Meryl Streep expressed her interest in Korean culture, saying, “My grandchildren talk about ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ every day, and they really love the songs.” Anne Hathaway also remarked, “Korean culture is at the forefront of shaping the younger generation,” adding, “It has a significant influence across various fields, including fashion and beauty.”
The rising status and influence of K-content in the global market are cited as the reasons why Hollywood has designated Korea as a must-visit destination. As box office performance and audience reactions in the Korean market have become a barometer for global and pan-Asian success, Hollywood masters and stars are rushing to Seoul as a key promotional venue.
A film industry insider commented, “While visits by international stars to Korea used to be limited to formal press conferences, they have recently evolved into localized promotional strategies that deeply integrate with Korean pop culture and broadcasting platforms,” adding, “Director Nolan and the ‘Odyssey’ team’s recent visit to Korea has once again confirmed the global influence of the Korean market.”