Creators gather to discuss future of Korea's film industry at CJ Movie Forum

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Creators gather to discuss future of Korea's film industry at CJ Movie Forum

Published: 07 Oct. 2024, 16:59

KIM JI-YE
kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr

Director Jeon Go-woon speaks during the CJ Movie Forum, under the theme “Navigating the New Paradigm,” last week in Haeundae District, Busan, during the 29th Busan International Film Festival. [CJ ENM]

BUSAN — Streaming platforms have forced open a wider world of competition for filmmakers globally. The only way to survive is by bringing better stories to audiences, which, according to the creators, is much easier said than done.

CJ ENM, one of Korea’s biggest entertainment conglomerates, held its CJ Movie Forum under the theme “Navigating the New Paradigm” last week in Haeundae District, Busan, during the 29th Busan International Film Festival. The forum focused on the future and the direction that Korean films should take.

A total of three sessions were carried out, with the third titled “The Power of K-storytelling That Mesmerized Hollywood.” The panel featured directors Han Jun-hee of film “Pilot” and Netflix series “D.P.” (2021-23), Jason Yu of film “Sleep” (2023), director Jeon Go-woon of film “Microhabitat” (2017) and Tving series “LTNS” and Ko Kyoung-boum, the head of CJ ENM’s film business.

“Even though I'm aware that the industry has changed a lot, for me, there isn't much difference in how I approach storytelling now compared to before because I believe that it's an area that is out of my control,” director Jeon said. “As someone who continues to grow and lives in a rapidly changing time, I find that I’m already busy enough searching for stories that excite me, that I think I need to tell and what the audience finds entertaining.”

CJ ENM held a movie forum under the theme “Navigating the New Paradigm” last week in Haeundae District, Busan, during the 29th Busan International Film Festival. [CJ ENM]

Director Yu agreed with Jeon on focusing on making an interesting story, saying, “Even though the industry is changing externally, my primary focus is on trying to make the story I want to tell more concrete.”

While the directors continue to search for stories they want to tell, they admit that there are hardships that stand in their way of being true to their story. Today's situation stands in contrast to the late 1990s and early 2000s, which are often called the golden era of Korean films — an era that introduced renowned directors like Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook.

Director Jeon pointed out a sense of energy has changed between her generation and the generation of Bong and Park, saying, “These days, it seems that directors from my generation are inevitably a bit weaker [in the sense of energy] because there are so many things to consider.”

“As more data builds up, there are more factors that need to fit into that framework, and audiences have become quite demanding, which requires a lot of attention,” she added. “Because of this, there are so many things to be mindful of that it feels like the energy to freely create something has diminished, and I think that's where the difference comes from.”

Director Jason Yu speaks during the CJ Movie Forum, under the theme “Navigating the New Paradigm,” last week in Haeundae District, Busan, during the 29th Busan International Film Festival. [CJ ENM]

Director Han Jun-hee speaks during the CJ Movie Forum, under the theme “Navigating the New Paradigm,” last week in Haeundae District, Busan, during the 29th Busan International Film Festival. [CJ ENM]

Due to the numerous options of mediums, finding the right one to deliver a story is something that today’s directors carefully consider when creating content, according to director Han.

“I feel [that many directors are] working hard to adapt to the times by using various things that will make people interested and willing to watch, based on their skills,” he said.

However, ultimately, a great story remains the key to producing quality work, and CJ ENM aims to not let creators’ efforts go to waste, as they plan to pursue three specific strategies, according to Ko.

Ko Kyoung-boum, the head of CJ ENM's Film Business, speaks during the CJ Movie Forum, under the theme “Navigating the New Paradigm,” last week in Haeundae District, Busan, during the 29th Busan International Film Festival. [CJ ENM]

“Like the film, ‘Parasite’ (2019), we aim to widely promote high-quality works created in Korea and expand their reach to international markets, raising awareness of the works themselves,” the head of CJ ENM’s film business said. “[The second strategy is] remaking currently planned projects or previously produced works to reintroduce them, and the third is expanding existing works and plans in various ways, ensuring that their potential does not go to waste.”

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]