Story of youth, love, and self-discovery wins two awards at Pingyao International Film Festival

Director Yoon Ga-eun’s first feature in six years, ‘The World of Love,’ has secured a Chinese distributor, Barunson E&A announced Monday.

Despite the lingering effects of the Hallyu ban (Hanhanryeong, China’s restriction on Korean pop culture), the film is now slated for release in China.

Chinese distributor Light Films Limited stated, “The audience response at the Pingyao International Film Festival was tremendous. We want to bring this film to Chinese theaters so more people can experience it.”

The company’s lineup includes Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Parasite’ and Hirokazu Kore-eda’s ‘Nobody Knows.’

Since foreign film imports in China are handled exclusively by a state-run enterprise under the Central Propaganda Department of the Communist Party, official government approval is required. Earlier this year, Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Mickey 17’ became the first Korean film in years to receive nationwide release in China, sparking speculation that the Hallyu ban might be easing. The release date for ‘The World of Love’ has yet to be confirmed.

The film follows Juin (played by Seo Soo-bin), an 18-year-old high school student who refuses to sign a school-wide petition and begins receiving mysterious notes afterward.

‘The World of Love’ became the first Korean film ever invited to the Platform competition at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim. It also won two awards at the 9th Pingyao International Film Festival.

Additionally, the film has been invited to several other international festivals, including the 41st Warsaw International Film Festival, 69th BFI London Film Festival, 49th São Paulo International Film Festival, and 70th Cork International Film Festival.

By Jung Rae-won