NYAFF 2023 Features 8 Korean Films Including Park Seo-Joon’s ‘Dream’

The New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) will screen eight Korean films between July 14 and 30. The festival’s centerpiece film is the international premiere of Lee Byeong-hoon’s Dream, starring Park Seo-joon and IU.

The festival’s opening film Killing Romance is a Korean comedy about an actress who marries a wealthy tycoon and wants to murder him. The film stars Lee Sun-kyun, Lee Ha-nee and Gong Myung. Killing Romance is directed by Lee Won-suk, who directed The Royal Tailor.

Also being shown is Phantom, directed by Lee Hae-young. The spy action film, based on the novel, Feng Sheng, stars Sol Kyung-gu, Lee Ha-nee, Park So-dam, Park Hae-soo, and Seo Hyun-woo.

The next film, Bear Man, is based on the myth that bears become humans after eating garlic and mugwort. It stars Park Sung-woong, Lee Yi-kyeon and Yeom Hye-ran.

Another festival entry, Hail to Hell, is a film that puts a fresh spin on the topic of bullying. Directed by Lim Oh-jeong, it stars Oh Woo-ri and Bang Hyo-rin.

Next up is Rebound, a sports film about a high school basketball team, that has lost its way. The film stars Ahn Jae-hong, Jinwoon and Lee Sin-young.

The main character in the next film, A Tour Guide, is Han-young, a North Korean defector, who guides Chinese tourists thanks to the language skills she acquired as a refugee in China. The film is directed by Kwak Eun-mi.

Also being shown is Greenhouse, directed by Lee Sol-hui. The gripping thriller focuses on a woman whose plans to be reunited with her son are shockingly upended. The film stars Kim Seo-hyung and Jang Jae-sung.

The festival’s centerpiece film Dream is inspired by the real-life Korean team that participated in the 2010 Homeless World Cup. It stars Park Seo-joon as a virtuoso soccer player-turned-coach and Lee Ji-eun, also known as IU, as a cynical producer. The director will attend the festival.

NYAFF’s 2023 Best from the East Award honors actress-Lee Ha-nee, star of NYAFF’s opening film, Killing Romance. Lee’s comedic talents are not only evident in Killing Romance, but in her previous hit film, Extreme Job and her TV drama One The Woman.

NYAFF will celebrate opening night on July 14 with a market that features live music and Asian food stalls. Masterclasses with filmmakers and panels will include the Asian Diaspora Filmmaker Forum, a panel discussion bringing together producers and directors to share their film industry experiences. NYAFF Closing Night will conclude this year’s festival with an awards ceremony.