[Edaily Reporter Choi Hee-jae ] The film industry is closely watching to see how the movie "Possible Love" will perform on online video streaming services (OTT). If "Possible Love," which generated buzz with its theatrical release, continues its success on OTT platforms, observers suggest that Netflix may increasingly adopt a strategy of premiering films in theaters first.

According to industry sources on the 4th, “Possible Love” was selected as South Korea’s entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards and was released in domestic theaters on September 23 to meet the submission requirements. This is because entries for the Best International Feature Film category must be screened in commercial theaters in the country of production for seven consecutive days.

Netflix has previously released its original international films—such as “Frankenstein,” “Maestro Bernstein,” “The Irishman,” and “Roma”—in theaters. Among Korean productions, director Bong Joon-ho’s 2017 film *Okja* adopted a strategy of simultaneous release in theaters and on Netflix. *Possible Love* was the first Korean-produced Netflix film to premiere in theaters prior to its OTT release.

Notably, despite screening for only two weeks at a very limited number of theaters, the film managed to draw a significant audience of 230,000 viewers. Analysts attribute this success to a combination of anticipation surrounding Director Lee Chang-dong’s new work, the film’s high production quality, and the buzz generated by its awards at international film festivals, all of which fueled public interest. Netflix will begin streaming “Possible Love” on the 6th.

A theater industry official emphasized, “The film ‘Possible Love’ generated a great deal of buzz, and it appears there was significant demand from viewers who wanted to see it in theaters first rather than wait for its OTT release,” adding, “There was no reason not to schedule a hit film where the demands of audiences, platforms, and theaters all aligned.”

Shin Jae-seung, Head of Distribution Strategy at NEW, the film’s distributor, said, “*Possible Love* is a success story that demonstrated meaningful box office results and positive synergy through its theatrical release,” adding, “In today’s diversified media environment, we plan to explore and review multifaceted distribution strategies so that quality films can reach more audiences through theaters.”

Film critic Yoon Seong-eun remarked, “While the theatrical premiere of ‘Possible Love’ was prompted by its submission for the Academy Awards, it is also positive in terms of expanding the diversity of distribution methods,” adding, “It is meaningful in that it offers audiences a wider range of choices.”

Film critic Jeon Chan-il pointed out, “OTT platforms produce quality content, while theaters screen it in a higher-quality and more comfortable environment, creating a synergistic effect for both sides.” He added, “It is also significant in that it has opened the door to a distribution system where films—even those not submitted to film festivals—can be released simultaneously in theaters and on OTT platforms, provided they possess artistic merit or are suitable for a theatrical viewing experience.”