The Korean Cultural Centre UK celebrated a milestone achievement as the 20th London Korean Film Festival (LKFF) officially opened with a completely sold-out screening at the British Film Institute (BFI) Southbank's main theater. The opening film "Someone Beyond the Misty Window" drew capacity crowds, filling all 450 seats and demonstrating the growing appetite for Korean cinema among British audiences.
This year's festival program showcases an impressive lineup featuring the opening film "Someone Beyond the Misty Window" and closing film "Harbin," along with several curated sections including Cinema Now, Women's Voices, Special Screening, and a commemorative section titled "Dramas of Resistance" marking the 80th Anniversary of Korea's Liberation. The Cinema Now strand was carefully curated by Dr. Anton Bitel, a respected critic and programmer who teaches classical literature and languages at the University of Oxford.
Festival Director Seunghye Sun offered profound reflections on the artistic mission of the event, stating: "All that is called is love. This is a phrase that emerged as I contemplated Korean aesthetics. Art is ultimately another name for love, and cinema is an art of love at its core. The human condition is the expression of longing—an inherent incompleteness that compels us to create stories. Cinema is where the emotions and desires born from that incompleteness meet technology. Korean cinema has transformed these wounds and dreams into art, growing into a universal language and one of the defining art forms of our time."
The festival's opening night featured the world premiere of Kim Jong-kwan's "Someone Beyond the Misty Window," an omnibus film set in Seoul's atmospheric Seochon neighborhood. Director Kim Jong-kwan and actor Yeon Woo-jin made special appearances at the screening, participating in an engaging question-and-answer session that followed the film. Both guests expressed their enthusiasm about meeting UK audiences and discussed the creative process behind the film with British fans.
Director Kim Jong-kwan shared his excitement about the prestigious venue and audience, saying: "It is an honor and a thrill to have our film open the 20th London Korean Film Festival. Screening it at the iconic BFI and meeting British audiences is deeply meaningful. I hope this small but heartfelt film finds its way from London to many more viewers around the world." His comments reflected the global ambitions that many Korean filmmakers now harbor as their work gains international recognition.
Actor Yeon Woo-jin revealed his personal connection to British culture during his remarks to the audience. "I grew up influenced by British culture in many ways—from Oasis and British pop to UK films and dramas. It is a joy to greet audiences here with a project I participated in," he explained. "It is an honor to be in London with a director I greatly admire, and I sincerely congratulate LKFF on its 20th anniversary. I hope to contribute to the growing exchange between Korean and British culture."
The post-screening Q&A session revealed the sophisticated level of interest Korean cinema has generated among London moviegoers. Audience members asked detailed questions about the unique appeal of Korean films, prompting thoughtful responses from both the director and actor. Director Kim expressed his artistic ambition to create a film for every season, while Yeon Woo-jin enthusiastically engaged with fans' questions about his craft and the distinctive qualities that set Korean cinema apart in the global market.
The opening night concluded with a special reception celebrating not only the festival's remarkable 20-year history but also looking forward to the next two decades of Korean cinema's continued growth and international influence. The event underscored the festival's role as a crucial bridge between Korean filmmakers and British audiences, fostering cultural exchange and artistic appreciation that extends far beyond the cinema screen.
