Jeon Do-yeon Possible Love: Gotham Nod and Oscar Buzz

If you follow Korean entertainment, you have probably seen the name Jeon Do-yeon (전도연, "juhn doh-yuhn") everywhere this week. The reason is Possible Love, the new film from director Lee Chang-dong (이창동, "ee chang-dong"), and the growing talk that Jeon Do-yeon in Possible Love could make Oscar history. Here is what happened, and why it feels so big in Korea.

Jeon Do-yeon Possible Love: what happened this week

The news came in a cluster between October 23 and 28. The Korea Herald reported on October 28 that Possible Love earned three Gotham nominations, with Jeon Do-yeon in the lead performance race. A few days earlier, Chosunbiz ran a piece saying she could earn the first Korean Oscar best actress nomination.

Overseas outlets joined in. The Hollywood Reporter published a profile on October 23 under a headline saying she "Defined an Era of Korean Cinema" and has now become an Oscar contender. NPR, the same day, wrote that the film offers "four of the best performances you'll see all year."

Note the word could. Nothing is decided. These are nominations and predictions, not wins or Oscar nominations.

What are the Gotham Awards?

The Gotham Awards (고담 어워즈, "go-dam uh-wuh-jeu") are a New York-based award for independent film. They arrive early in the season, so they often act as the first public signal of which films and performances will be part of the Oscar conversation.

Their acting categories are not split by gender, which is why reports describe Jeon as being in the "lead" race rather than a "best actress" race. The Oscars still separate best actress and best actor, and that is the category people in Korea are talking about.

Why a best actress Oscar nomination would be a first

Korean film has had a remarkable run at the Oscars in recent years. Parasite won Best Picture, and Youn Yuh-jung won Best Supporting Actress for Minari. That made her the first Korean actress to win an Oscar for acting.

But the lead acting categories are a different story. According to the Chosunbiz report, Jeon could become the first Korean actress nominated for best actress. In Korea, the press tends to treat each of these "first Korean to..." moments as a national milestone, so expect heavy coverage if the buzz keeps building.

Korean TV picked up the story too. This YTN news clip is titled, roughly, "Hard to imagine any actor other than Jeon Do-yeon," and asks whether she will become the first Korean to be an Oscar lead-acting candidate.

▶ "전도연 아닌 배우 상상하기 어려워"…한국 최초 오스카 주연상 후보 되나 [지금이뉴스] / YTN — YTN (YouTube)

Who is Jeon Do-yeon?

For international readers who know Korean actors mainly through Netflix hits, Jeon Do-yeon may be a name you have seen without grasping her weight. She has been a leading figure in Korean film for decades. The Hollywood Reporter's "era" language reflects how many Koreans see her career.

Her best-known international moment came in 2007, when she won Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival for Secret Sunshine. That was a first for a Korean actress, and Secret Sunshine was directed by Lee Chang-dong. So Possible Love is, in a sense, a reunion of two of the biggest names in Korean cinema.

She has also worked in more mainstream projects. Many viewers abroad know her from the Netflix film Kill Boksoon (2023) and the tvN drama Crash Course in Romance (2023). The range between those titles is part of why Korean audiences respect her.

Lee Chang-dong and why his return matters

Lee Chang-dong was a novelist before he became a film director, and you can feel that in his work. His films, such as Peppermint Candy, Oasis, Secret Sunshine, Poetry and Burning, are known for being slow, patient and emotionally exact. They tend to build quietly, then hit hard.

Netflix published its own piece describing Possible Love as marking the director's return. His previous feature, Burning, came out in 2018, so a new Lee Chang-dong film is an event for Korean film fans. Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong also ran an explainer on the movie, and it confirms the basics: Lee directs and Jeon stars.

As for the story itself, I am not going to summarize it here. The reporting I am working from focuses on performances and awards, not plot, and I would rather leave it out than guess. NPR's praise for "four" standout performances does suggest this is not a one-person show, even though Jeon is the name leading the awards talk.

How to watch Possible Love

Netflix is promoting the film, so the first place to look is the Netflix app. I do not have a confirmed release date or regional availability to share, so check the title page in your own country. Titles can be released in theaters and on streaming on different schedules.

If you have never seen a Lee Chang-dong film, a few tips. Give it your full attention rather than treating it as background viewing. Expect a measured pace, and expect the acting to carry a lot of the weight.

What to watch for next

The Gotham nominations are an early step. The big questions come later in awards season, when other groups announce their picks and, eventually, the Oscar nominations. A Gotham nomination is a good sign, but it does not guarantee anything further.

For now, the story is simple. A respected Korean actress and a respected Korean director are getting serious international attention at the same moment. That alone is worth watching, whatever happens next.

FAQ

What is Jeon Do-yeon's Possible Love?

Possible Love is a film directed by Lee Chang-dong and starring Jeon Do-yeon. Reports describe it as his return to filmmaking, and NPR praised its four lead performances. I have left out plot details because my sources do not cover them.

Has Jeon Do-yeon been nominated for an Oscar?

Not yet. Chosunbiz reported that she could earn the first Korean best actress Oscar nomination. So far the confirmed news is that Possible Love earned three Gotham nominations, with Jeon in the lead race.

Who is Lee Chang-dong?

Lee Chang-dong (이창동) is a Korean director and former novelist, known for Peppermint Candy, Oasis, Secret Sunshine, Poetry and Burning. His films are slow-paced and character-driven, and he directed Jeon Do-yeon in her Cannes-winning role in Secret Sunshine.

Sources

Part of our weekly series — see K-Culture This Week (Oct 23–29, 2026) for the rest of the week's Korean culture news.

Last updated: October 30, 2026

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