Kim Min-hee Returns to Acting in New Hong Sang-soo Film 'Nowhere to Look'

Actor Kim Min-hee has made her return to acting following childbirth in a film directed by Hong Sang-soo.

Jeonwonsa Film announced on July 10 that director Hong Sang-soo's 35th feature film, "Nowhere to Look," has been officially invited to the International Competition section of the Locarno Film Festival.

"Nowhere to Look" features actors Kim Min-hee, Kwon Hae-hyo, Shin Seok-ho, and Park Mi-so, all of whom have appeared in many of Hong's previous works. Notably, actor Choi Myung-gil, who has primarily been active in television dramas, collaborated with director Hong for the first time, drawing significant attention.

This marks Kim Min-hee's return to the screen in about two years since the 2024 film "By the Stream." Since confirming her relationship with director Hong in 2016, she has appeared exclusively in his films, though she was credited only as a production manager for his recent works, "What the Nature Says to You" and "The Day She Returned." She gave birth to director Hong's child in April 2025.

"Nowhere to Look" (2026, International Competition) is the fifth of director Hong's works to be officially invited to the Locarno Film Festival, following "By the Stream" (2024, International Competition/Best Performance Award), "Hotel by the River" (2018, International Competition/Best Performance Award), "Right Now, Wrong Then" (2015, International Competition/Golden Leopard, Best Performance Award), and "Our Sunhi" (2013, International Competition/Best Director Award).


In its invitation statement for the film, the Locarno Film Festival stated, "We were deeply moved by the poetic expression evoked by the film and the sophisticated technique that made it possible, as every image, every word, and every encounter in the film conveys the meaning, beauty, and complexity of life in a way that seems so comfortable and effortless. It once again shows why director Hong Sang-soo is one of the great masters of our time."

The Locarno Film Festival, held annually in August in Locarno, Switzerland, was founded in 1946. It is one of the oldest film festivals in the world and is renowned for showcasing artistic and experimental auteur cinema.

The 79th Locarno Film Festival will run from August 5 to August 15. Following its world premiere at the festival, "Nowhere to Look" is scheduled for domestic release in the second half of this year.

Reported by Kim Ji-hye | Produced by SBS Entertainment News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.