[Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] Actress Lee Chae-young will attend Japan’s “Japan World Film Festival” (JWFF) not as a cast member but as a director.

The film “Bunker,” written and directed by actress Lee Chae-young, has been officially invited to the “Japan World Film Festival” (JWFF) in Japan. The fact that this film—directed by Lee Chae-young, who has long established her own unique style as an actress—has been selected by an international film festival adds to its significance.
The “Japan World Film Festival” is an international film festival to be held on October 24–25 in Nakagawa, Tochigi Prefecture. It introduces films from around the world to local audiences and serves as a platform for exchange among diverse filmmakers.
Established in 2012 by Tokyo Cinema Union, the festival places great importance on screening short films from around the world directly for Japanese audiences. Held in various regions of Japan, including Tokyo, the festival is strongly characterized by its integration of film with local cuisine, culture, and the arts.
The film *Bunker* is a psychological thriller set within a confined space, built on a dense emotional intensity and a nuanced exploration of human desires. Director Lee Chae-young stated, “Although the setting is one of extreme circumstances, it is actually a twist-filled drama that offers a glimpse into the inner world and true nature of all human beings,” adding, “I hope this film provides audiences with entertainment and unexpected twists without being overly heavy.”
Lee Chae-young is also continuing her career as an actress. The film “Purgatory: The Autonomous Zone of Murderers” will hold a press and distribution screening on the 28th at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul and is gearing up to welcome audiences in earnest ahead of its release.
The film *Purgatory: The Autonomous Zone of Murderers* is a hardcore prison action movie in which “Yoo-sung,” who receives a proposal to eliminate the absolute ruler “Yeomwang” in the prison “Purgatory”—a lawless zone for inmates—fights a desperate battle for survival and freedom. Lee Chae-young plays the role of “Hwa-seon” in the film, which was co-directed by Lee Hyun-myung and Bruce Kan. Notably, ahead of its domestic release, the film has been pre-sold to overseas markets—including Taiwan, Indonesia, German-speaking regions, India, Mongolia, Japan, and North America—and is drawing attention in the global market.
Lee Chae-young won the Excellence Award for Actress at the 2020 KBS Drama Awards and the Film Actress Award at the 2024 Korea Arts and Culture Awards. In addition to acting, she is actively pursuing a career as a director. She is currently writing the screenplays for her upcoming directorial projects: *Gap-soon*, *The Woman Who Lives in the Lighthouse*, and *Young-ah*.