The film "Possible Love" has been honored as the best film of 2026 by domestic film critics.
Jointly hosted by the Korean Association of Film Critics (led by President Seo Gok-sook) and the Korean Film Archive (led by Director Mo Eun-young), the 46th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards ceremony took place on November 4 at 6:00 PM at Cinematheque KOFA Theater 1 in Mapo-gu, Seoul, hosted by actors Jo Han-chul and Jang Sun.
The Best Picture award went to Pinehouse Film, the production company behind "Possible Love" (directed by Lee Chang-dong). Pinehouse Film CEO Lee Joon-dong shared his thoughts, saying, "Before filming, I wondered whether Korean cinema's stamina had weakened, but once shooting began, it was completely different. The staff and actors even said they wished we could film for a few more days. I think that energy carried over into the reception of the film."
Achievements in animation and documentary filmmaking were also celebrated. Director Kim Bo-sol, who won both Best New Director and the Independent Film Support Award in the Narrative Feature Category for the animation "The Square," said, "I thought that if I made a film I loved, at least people like me would appreciate it. I consider this award a message of support and encouragement for my tastes and the way I look at the world."
Director Park Bong-nam of "1980 Sabuk," which was selected for the Critics' Top 10, received the Independent Film Support Award in the Documentary Category. He remarked, "I worked with the mindset of excavating a piece of truth about the incident from a pitch-black mine shaft to share it with the world. I am grateful to the Sabuk miners and their families who remained as witnesses. I will cherish today as an opportunity to reflect on how to live out the rest of my time as a documentary filmmaker."
Best Actress winner Jeon Do-yeon ("Possible Love") looked back on the time she has spent protecting herself as an actor. She said, "Whether I received an award, received love from the audience, or did not, I have always returned with a new project and a new character. In my own heart, the Best Actress was always me. I have made it this far by cheering for myself and protecting myself. Moving forward, I will continue to walk my own path well."
"HOPE" took home three trophies: Best Director (Na Hong-jin), Best Actor (Zo In-sung), and Best Cinematography (Hong Kyung-pyo). Zo In-sung, who received the Best Actor award, expressed his gratitude to Director Na Hong-jin for bringing out a new side of him and dedicated the honor to the audience who completed the film.
For Seo Su-bin ("The World of Love"), who won Best New Actress, the ceremony venue held special meaning. She said, "Two years ago, while preparing for the film, when I was struggling and lost, I broke down crying on the second floor of the Korean Film Archive while reading the script, saying I couldn't do it. I didn't have the courage to say I was quitting, so I was able to see it through to the end, and receiving such a big award in this very spot two years later brings a flood of emotions. I want to thank Director Yoon Ga-eun, who scolded me with affection both then and now."
Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Go Eun-ah made her debut in 1965 with "A Rain of Orchids" and appeared in films such as "The Seashore Village," winning Best Actress at the Grand Bell Awards for "The Daughter-in-Law" and "The Widow." She also participated in the management of Hapdong Film and Seoul Cinema, helping lay the groundwork for the production, distribution, and screening of Korean cinema. On this day, attendees, including junior filmmakers, rose to their feet to listen to her remarks and applauded. Go Eun-ah said, "Listening to the acceptance speeches, 61 years flashed back and forth in my mind. I was reminded of my thoughts during my debut project and of my colleagues. I am looking toward the west where the sun sets, not the east where the sun rises. Thank you for allowing me to hold a precious trophy rather than empty hands."
Best Supporting Actor winner Oh Jung-se ("Wild Sing"), who was unable to attend due to filming schedules, delivered his thoughts via a video pre-recorded outside the venue. The audience responded warmly while the witty acceptance clip played.
In the newly established OTT Series Awards, Best Actor and Best Actress went to Hyun Bin ("Made in Korea") and Shin Hae Sun ("The Art of Sarah"), respectively, while Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress were awarded to Roh Jae-won ("Made in Korea") and Jang Young-nam ("The East Palace").
Taking the stage, Jang Young-nam was brought to tears during her speech. "There hasn't been a moment while acting where I felt satisfied. I wanted to do well, but when things didn't go as planned, I pushed myself hard and felt discouraged," she said. "Looking back at the path I've walked and ahead to the path I will walk, I think this award today will be a great gift to me."
■ Award Winners by Category
- Best Picture: "Possible Love" (Pinehouse Film)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Actor Go Eun-ah
- Best Director: Director Na Hong-jin ("HOPE")
- Best Actress: Actor Jeon Do-yeon ("Possible Love")
- Best Actor: Actor Zo In-sung ("HOPE")
- Best Supporting Actress: Actor Ye Soo-jung ("People and Meat")
- Best Supporting Actor: Actor Oh Jung-se ("Wild Sing")
- Best Screenplay: Director Byun Sung-hyun, Writer Lee Jin-sung ("Good News")
- Best Cinematography: Cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo ("HOPE")
- Technical Award (Sound): Sound Director Kim Young-ho ("Salmokji: Whispering Water")
- Best Music: Music Director Lee Min-hwi ("Pavane")
- Independent Film Support Award: Documentary Category: Director Park Bong-nam ("1980 Sabuk") / Narrative Feature Category: Director Kim Bo-sol ("The Square")
- Best Acting Ensemble: "People and Meat"
- Best New Director: Director Kim Bo-sol ("The Square")
- Best New Actress: Actor Seo Su-bin ("The World of Love")
- Best New Actor: Actor PARK JIHOON ("The King's Warden")
- Critics' Achievement Award: Film Critic Kim Doo-ho (15th President of the Korean Association of Film Critics)
- OTT Series Best Actress: Actor Shin Hae Sun ("The Art of Sarah")
- OTT Series Best Actor: Actor Hyun Bin ("Made in Korea")
- OTT Series Best Supporting Actress: Actor Jang Young-nam ("The East Palace")
- OTT Series Best Supporting Actor: Actor Roh Jae-won ("Made in Korea")
- Best New Critic Award: Lee Jun-hyuk, Lim Tae-gyu (Excellence Award)
- International Film Award: "Two Prosecutors" (Distributor: M&M International)
- FIPRESCI Korea Award: Domestic Category: Director Yang Jong-hyun ("People and Meat") / International Category: Director Lee Sang-il ("Kokuho")
■ Critics' Top 10 Films (In Korean Alphabetical Order)
"Possible Love" (Lee Chang-dong)
"Good News" (Byun Sung-hyun)
"People and Meat" (Yang Jong-hyun)
"Salmokji: Whispering Water" (Lee Sang-min)
"The World of Love" (Yoon Ga-eun)
"The Assassin(s)" (Hur Jin-ho)
"The King's Warden" (Jang Hang-jun)
"1980 Sabuk" (Park Bong-nam)
"Pavane" (Lee Jong-pil)
"HOPE" (Na Hong-jin)
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)
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