Netflix is preparing a major Oscar campaign for Lee Chang-dong’s latest drama, Possible Love. The streaming giant is also backing South Korean actress Jeon Do-yeon for Best Actress at the 2027 Academy Awards.
According to The Hollywood Reporter’s October 8 report, Netflix plans to campaign across several major categories. These include Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.
Moreover, the campaign goes beyond the Best International Feature Film category. Netflix hopes the Korean-language drama can compete with Hollywood’s biggest productions.
Jeon Do-yeon Eyes Best Actress Recognition
Jeon Do-yeon plays Mi-ok, a woman whose marriage changes after she meets another couple. Her character faces financial problems, emotional struggles, and hidden tensions.
Throughout the film, Jeon delivers a subtle and emotional performance. As a result, her role has become a major focus of Netflix’s awards campaign.
The actress already enjoys international recognition. In 2007, she won Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival for Secret Sunshine, also directed by Lee Chang-dong.
Now, an Oscar nomination could mark another historic achievement in her career. It would also bring greater attention to Korean-language cinema.
Lee Chang-dong Returns After Eight Years
Meanwhile, Possible Love marks Lee Chang-dong’s return to filmmaking after eight years. His previous feature, Burning, was released in 2018.
The acclaimed drama became the first South Korean film shortlisted for the Academy Award then known as Best Foreign Language Film.
Lee is widely known for exploring social inequality, emotional struggles, and human relationships. Similarly, Possible Love examines how financial pressure and social differences affect personal lives.
His return has therefore attracted strong interest from international critics and film enthusiasts.
Possible Love Wins Big at Venice Film Festival
The film’s Oscar prospects received a major boost at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival.
Possible Love won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize in September. Additionally, its premiere reportedly received a six-minute standing ovation.
The film later gained attention at the Toronto and New York film festivals. These appearances helped strengthen its international reputation.
Furthermore, the drama received excellent early reviews. At the time of the October 8 report, it held a 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 93.
Together, these achievements have given Netflix a strong foundation for its awards campaign.
Netflix Targets Multiple Acting Nominations
Netflix is not focusing only on Jeon Do-yeon. Instead, the company is promoting all four principal cast members for Academy Award consideration.
Sul Kyung-gu is being positioned for Best Actor. Meanwhile, Cho Yeo-jeong is being promoted for Best Supporting Actress.
Zo In-sung is also part of the campaign for Best Supporting Actor.
Through this strategy, Netflix hopes to highlight the film’s strong ensemble performances. Additionally, the company aims to build wider recognition among Academy voters.
Could Possible Love Follow Parasite’s Oscar Success?
Netflix’s ambitious campaign reflects the growing influence of international cinema in Hollywood.
In 2020, Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite made history by becoming the first non-English-language film to win Best Picture.
That victory opened new conversations about international storytelling at the Academy Awards.
Similarly, Possible Love could bring more attention to South Korean filmmakers and performers.
However, the competition remains strong. Festival awards and positive reviews do not guarantee Oscar nominations.
Still, Netflix’s campaign shows its confidence in the film’s potential.
Possible Love Netflix Release Date
Possible Love is scheduled to arrive in select international theaters on October 23, 2026.
Following its theatrical release, the film will premiere globally on Netflix on November 6, 2026.
Meanwhile, South Korea has officially selected the drama as its entry for Best International Feature Film.
The upcoming streaming release could introduce the film to a much larger audience. Consequently, it may generate additional interest during awards season.
Will Possible Love Become an Oscar Contender?
Possible Love enters the 2027 Oscar race with strong festival recognition, positive reviews, and an acclaimed creative team.
Moreover, Lee Chang-dong’s return and Jeon Do-yeon’s performance have become major talking points.
Netflix is now working to turn that early success into Academy Award nominations.
Although the final results remain uncertain, the film has already established itself as an international contender worth watching.
Can Jeon Do-yeon secure her first Oscar nomination and help Possible Love create another historic moment for Korean cinema? Share your thoughts!
About the author
Neha Nikharge is Assistant Editor at Awesome TV and a writer for AWSM Times. Neha covers Bollywood, OTT releases, celebrity interviews and pop culture for South Asian audiences in the US and around the world, and has written more than 4,500 stories for Awesome TV. Story tips and corrections: hello@awesometv.com.
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