©
2025. All Rights Reserved.
Which was the biggest Korean film release that you heard about this year? Chances are there aren't many because Korean cinema in 2025 is at a crossroads. For the first time in over a decade, the Cannes Film Festival didn't include any Korean films. The streaming platform charts and local cinema rates are also struggling to return to pre-pandemic glory. This is surprising and fairly concerning for a country that houses major talent.
"Parasite", Still Strong In 2024: How Bong JoonHo Redefined Korean Cinema On The Global Stage?K-Culture InsightsFeb 28, 2025
Moreover, Korean cinema has a rich legacy at prestigious events. This year as well, Korea submitted films such as “The Ugly,” “The Journey to GyeongJu,” and “Omniscient Reader: The Prophet” but failed to make the cut. Park ChanWook's highly anticipated film “No Other Choice” didn't make to submission table amid ongoing post-production. The concerning part is that the absence at Cannes follows a pattern where no Korean film has reached the main competition for three consecutive years now. Such events weren't expected post the success of “Parasite” in 2019. They raise a bigger question: what’s happening to Korean cinema in 2025?
Kpopmap
How is AI being used in Korean cinema in 2025?
No matter if you consider AI a boon or a bane, it is quickly becoming a significant part of Korean cinema. Several aspects of film production, from remastering older works to generating entirely new content, now use artificial intelligence. One notable example is the 4K remastering of “Leafie, a Hen into the Wild” (2011). In this process, AI was mainly aided in upscaling the visuals; cutting production time and reducing the cost to half. However, as per KoBiz, critics have pointed out that the AI-enhanced visuals have a “plastic sheen” that can't compete with the film’s original textures.
In the creation of original productions such as “It’s Me, MunHee” and “M Hotel,” AI-assisted in creating hyper-realistic characters and worlds. Among them, “M Hotel,” a six-minute AI-generated film, won several accolades at international film festivals. Korean festivals such as the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) and the Korea International AI Film Festival (K-AIFF) have emerged as support and encouragement for the industry’s experimentation with AI. However, some believe that it is too early for such celebrations, especially when the AI’s impact on creativity and human creators is uncertain.
Supporters of the debate state that while AI’s potential to create low-cost films and push visual boundaries is well-known, it isn't free of limitations. For instance, AI continues to struggle with maintaining character consistency in longer formats. The ethical implications of voice cloning and digital replication of actors are also an ongoing issue being discussed among creators globally. These shifts showcase how Korean cinema is going through a period of change in its core that may determine how and what sort of productions we see in the future.
Enjoy full access for just $1
Join over 10,000 active members!
🌟 Special Contents for Subscribers
