Korean feature films snubbed at Cannes for first time in 26 years

For the first time in 26 years, Korean cinema will be absent from the Cannes Film Festival, with no Korean features selected across either the official lineup or parallel sections of the event set to open in May. The last time Korea's film industry failed to secure any invitations to any part of the prestigious festival was in 1999, and it’s the first time since 2013 that no Korean film will be screened in the official selection. This year's absence stands in stark contrast to Korea's celebrated history at Cannes, which began in earnest with Lee Doo-yong's "Mulleya Mulleya," invited to the film festival in 1984. Since then, Korean cinema has consistently received attention. Experts highlight that this year's unprecedented exclusion is not merely a coincidence but a reflection of deeper issues within the film industry here, with the shift towards streaming platforms seen as a major factor. “Japanese films continue to garner attention at Cannes and it is true that the production of Korean films is decreasing. A significant amount of Korean content is now being produced with a focus on