The program spotlights five emerging women filmmakers of Korean cinema, ▲Kim Se-in ▲Kim Cho-hee ▲Yoon Ga-eun ▲Yoon Danbi ▲Lim Oh-jeong, each presenting five films that have profoundly influenced their artistic journey and helped define their cinematic vision.

Following retrospective screenings of these influential Korean features, five rising women filmmakers will take the stage alongside the senior directors behind the original works. These emerging talents will reflect on the lasting impact these films have had on their creative journey, while also exploring how such works continue to resonate with new generations and help shape the evolving future of Korean cinema.

▲Kim Se-in ▲Kim Cho-hee ▲Yoon Ga-eun ▲Yoon Danbi ▲Lim Oh-jeong will join this meaningful gathering to revisit and celebrate the selected films with the audience, sharing personal recollections and reflecting on the cinematic significance of each work together with their mentors. The program, co-organized by the Korean Film Archive, aims to bridge generations of filmmakers, bringing new inspiration and a sense of solidarity as they look ahead to the promising future of Korean cinema.

Kim Se-in, who gained widespread critical acclaim for her debut feature The Apartment with Two Women (2021), has selected Kim Tae-yong and Min Kyu-dong’s Memento Mori (1999). The film tells the story of two high school girls who form a mysterious bond after discovering a lost diary filled with lifelike drawings and hidden messages. Widely regarded as a cult classic among millennial cinephiles, Memento Mori remains a cornerstone of Korean queer cinema.

Kim Cho-hee, known for her vibrant and nuanced directorial touch in Lucky Chan-sil (2019), has brought YIM Soon-rye’s Waikiki Brothers (2001) back to the screen. The film centers on four band members who were once passionate and full of dreams, now looking back on their past, struggling to figure out what the future holds for them. Yim delivers a poignant portrait of dreams fading into reality, offering quiet solace to those navigating the struggles of everyday life.

Yoon Ga-eun, who demonstrated the strength of Korean independent cinema through her acclaimed features The World of Us (2016) and The House of Us (2019), has selected Art Museum by the Zoo (1998) by Lee Jeong-hyang. A man and a woman, with little in common, end up sharing a home, which eventually leads to an unexpected romance. This late-90s gem, with its delicate portrayal of love and relationships, is sure to captivate audiences in Busan once more.

Yoon Danbi, the director of Moving On (2019), which garnered accolades across numerous film festivals, has chosen Park Chan-ok’s Jealousy Is My Middle Name (2002). The film follows a graduate student who takes a job as an editor under pretenses to get close to his ex-girlfriend’s new lover. With its restrained and observational approach reminiscent of documentary filmmaking, the film offers a sharp insight into the complex dynamics of unspoken alliances and jealousy.

Lim Oh-jeong, who showcased bold and witty storytelling in Hail to Hell (2022), has selected Jeong Jae-eun’s Take Care of My Cat (2001). An unexpected encounter with a stray cat reconnects five childhood friends, rekindling their youthful energy and dreams of the future. A timeless coming-of-age classic, its tender portrayal of youth and friendship is set to strike a chord with today’s audiences.