The definitive works of master director Lee Chang-dong are returning to global audiences through Netflix. Following the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize win for his eagerly awaited return Possible Love at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, Netflix has announced the expanded global streaming of his major filmography, including Green Fish, Peppermint Candy, Oasis, Secret Sunshine, Poetry, and Burning.
Rather than just dropping a single new title, this expansive rollout serves as an open gateway for international viewers to dive deep into Lee’s entire cinematic universe.
1. Expanding Global Streaming for Lee Chang-dong’s Classics
The Netflix lineup expansion features Green Fish, Peppermint Candy, Oasis, Secret Sunshine, Poetry, and Burning.
While these titles won’t drop on the exact same day worldwide, release dates and availability will vary by region. Netflix explained that this initiative is designed to help international viewers who discover Lee through Possible Love effortlessly trace back and explore his previous masterpieces. It’s a fascinating strategy that connects a brand-new release directly with a legendary director’s past body of work.
2. Green Fish and Secret Sunshine Lead the Early Wave
The earliest titles to hit expanded regional streaming—starting in late August—were Green Fish and Secret Sunshine, rolling out in countries like Italy, the UK, France, Australia, and New Zealand.
Released in 1997, Green Fish marks Lee’s feature-film directorial debut, exploring the rapid shifts of 1990s South Korean society and the lives of marginalized figures through one man’s downfall.
Secret Sunshine stars Jeon Do-yeon and Song Kang-ho, tackling heavy themes of loss, redemption, and forgiveness. Jeon famously won the Best Actress award at the 60th Cannes Film Festival for her unforgettable performance.
3. Peppermint Candy and Oasis Join the Queue
Starting September 4, streaming for Peppermint Candy and Oasis kicked off in Italy and Spain.
Peppermint Candy tells the tragic story of a man’s life told in reverse chronological order, linking personal tragedy with South Korea’s turbulent modern history. Its striking opening scene, featuring the iconic line “I want to go back!”, remains one of the most powerful moments in Korean cinema.
Oasis examines prejudice and human dignity through the romance of two socially alienated individuals, earning Lee the Best Director award at the 59th Venice Film Festival in 2002.
4. Poetry and Burning Rolling Out in the US, Japan, and Beyond
Poetry and Burning are also scheduled for sequential releases across major international markets, including Japan, the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Poetry follows an elderly woman who begins taking poetry classes, prompting profound questions about beauty, morality, and responsibility. Lee won Best Screenplay at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival in 2010 for this film.
Burning (2018), adapted from a Haruki Murakami short story and starring Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun, and Jeon Jong-seo, earned widespread critical acclaim abroad for its ambiguous, mystery-driven structure, youth alienation, and sharp commentary on class divides.
5. Subtitles in Up to Six Languages
Subtitling is a major focus of this global expansion. Netflix has confirmed that up to six languages, including Korean, will be supported depending on the region.
This makes bodies of work previously restricted to film festivals or niche distribution channels easily accessible to global audiences. It is especially thrilling to see features produced over two decades ago, like Green Fish and Peppermint Candy, find a brand-new international following.
6. A Legendary Director Built on Just Six Films
Remarkably, Lee’s filmography is surprisingly concise. Since his 1997 debut with Green Fish, he directed only six feature films up through Burning in 2018 (Green Fish, Peppermint Candy, Oasis, Secret Sunshine, Poetry, Burning).
Yet, every single project carries profound psychological and societal depth, earning him enduring respect both domestically and globally. With major accolades like the Venice Best Director prize and the Cannes Best Screenplay award under his belt, Lee proves that the weight of a filmography matters far more than sheer quantity.
7. The 8-Year Wait: Possible Love
Possible Love is Lee’s first feature film in eight years since Burning (2018).
The story follows two contrasting couples—a dismissed factory worker and his wife, alongside a documentary filmmaker and her husband—whose lives and hidden desires collide during a documentary project. The star-studded cast features Jeon Do-yeon, Sol Kyung-gu, Jo In-sung, and Jo Yeo-jeong. The project has generated massive buzz for reuniting Lee with Jeon (his star from Secret Sunshine) and Sol (his lead from Peppermint Candy and Oasis).
8. Venice Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize Win
In addition to competing in the main competition at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, Possible Love took home the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize.
This marks a triumphant return to the Venetian winner’s circle for Lee, coming 24 years after he won Best Director for Oasis in 2002. Possible Love has also been selected as South Korea’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards.
9. Netflix’s Smart Bridge Strategy
What makes this streaming expansion so exciting is the storytelling thread it creates between a director’s newest work and his legacy.
If an international viewer discovers Lee through Possible Love, they can naturally dive into Secret Sunshine or Burning, and eventually trace all the way back to Green Fish and Peppermint Candy. Netflix’s strategy ensures that the success of a single new release spills over into a renewed global appreciation for classic Korean cinema as a whole.
10. Release Schedule: Theaters and Netflix
Possible Love hits South Korean theaters first on September 23, 2026.
International theatrical rollouts follow on October 22 in Australia and New Zealand, and October 23 in the US, Canada, the UK, and Japan.
The film will then stream globally on Netflix starting November 6.
While Possible Love is a cinematic event in its own right, the true magic of this moment is how a single new release is throwing open the doors to nearly 30 years of Lee Chang-dong’s cinematic mastery. From Green Fish in 1997 to Possible Love in 2026, the streaming era has made revisiting this legendary journey easier than ever.
If you had to recommend just one Lee Chang-dong film to an international viewer to start with, which one would it be? Drop your personal favorites—whether it’s Peppermint Candy, Secret Sunshine, Poetry, or Burning—in the comments below!
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