Yeom Hye-ran in a still from ‘My Name.’ Photo: Let’s Films; Aura Pictures, courtesy of Berlinale, 2026.
At the 76th Berlin International Film Festival (running from Feb. 12-22, 2026), while acclaimed German filmmaker Wim Wenders holds the fort as the Jury President, South Korean cinema is sneaking into the Berlinale’s halls with both the confidence of a seasoned auteur and the grit of a rising star. Beyond the mainstream buzz, South Korean directors are spread across the slate, with everything from haunting historical dramas to quirky meta-narratives. Whether it’s filmmaker Hong Sang-soo once again feeling right at home in Berlin or emerging indie voices making waves, here are the Korean films worth checking out at the 2026 Berlinale.
My Name (Chung Ji-young)
Director Chung Ji-young enters the festival’s Forum section, famous for experimental and brave filmmaking, with a movie that’s already being heaped with praises. The winner of the Jeju 4·3 Peace Foundation Scenario Grand Prize, it stars the incredible Yeom Hye-ran as a mother caught in a tug-of-war over her 18-year-old son’s identity while trying to protect his name — and his future. It unfolds against the backdrop of the immensely violent history of the Jeju 4.3 incident in 1948, a communist-led uprising on Jeju Island that was met with extreme government repression and led to mass civilian killings. My Name isn’t your light popcorn flick, but a deeply emotional journey that talks about long-held silences, generational trauma, and finding healing in the wreckage of history.
The Day She Returns (Hong Sangsoo)
It wouldn’t be a Berlinale without the festival’s favorite “prolific auteur,” Hong Sangsoo. Returning to the Panorama section after a string of Silver Bear wins in previous years, Hong brings The Day She Returns. It follows an actress (played by Song Sun-mi) who takes a break from her career after getting married, only to fall right back into the madness of an acting class. The film is part comedy, part existential crisis about the profession itself. It’s meta, funny, and likely going to leave you analyzing your own life choices.
En Route To (Yoo Jae-in)
Marking a bold international debut in the Generation 14plus section, this film doesn’t shy away from the messy parts of life. Yun-ji, a pregnant student, finds herself totally alone after her teacher vanishes. Desperate to pay for an abortion, she makes the heartbreaking decision to steal her roommate’s savings. It’s an unfiltered look at bodily autonomy, social isolation, and the brutal choices young people are forced to make, promising to bring a fresh, slightly uncomfortable, but necessary voice to the Berlinale.
Speedy! (Oh Ji-in)
This Korean short film has secured a spot in the Generation Kplus competition. As the title and section suggest, it’s a quick, punchy, and likely very visual story designed to resonate with younger audiences. Speedy! revolves around a young girl who wants to be the fastest reader, just like the local cool kid in 1989 Seoul, but in trying to be so, she realizes the whole “prodigy” thing is tougher than she thought. The movie’s inclusion in the international premiere lineup suggests it’s got that signature creativity that Korean shorts are famous for.
For the complete 2026 schedule and screening times, visit the Official Berlinale Program here.
