The 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is now underway. In its 50th year, the festival features a diverse range of films spanning multiple genres, from many countries, showcasing a wealth of talent from around the world.
Korean cinema has always been a source of excitement for audiences at TIFF and festivals abroad. The nation has been a dominant force in entertainment across various avenues. It remains a formidable force in the film space, with inventive, visually striking, and compelling storytelling coming from both first-time filmmakers and revered veterans.
This year, we have a diverse group of features that take us on a journey through a tense plane hijacking with political ramifications, the ups and downs of adolescence, the stress of unemployment, an adrenaline-laced heist, and an emotional journey about what defines beauty. Fresh faces, veterans, unique visual styles and enthralling stories are guaranteed.
Good News [굿뉴스]
Byun Sung-hyun comes to TIFF with Good News an action thriller set in the 1970s that follows the high-stakes situation of a hijacked plane. Sung-hyun’s latest promises to be an exciting thrill ride that blends fantasy, history, action, comedy and more with long-time frequent collaborator Sul Jyung-gu as a mysterious figure called Nobody. With films like Kil Boksoon, Kingmaker, and The Merciless under his belt, Good News looks to be another challenge for the writer-director, who seems to be interested in increasing the scale of his films with each new project.
Showtimes:
- Friday, September 5 at 5:45 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 9 at 12:00 p.m.
- Friday, September 12 at 7:45 p.m.
The World of Love [세계의 주인]
The World of Love is high on our must-watch list as it is a woman-directed feature, but it is Yoon Ga-eun back in action with her sophomore feature. The director of The World of Us transitions from telling the story of children overcoming hardship to The World of Love, which follows a teenage girl as she navigates the precarious pitfalls of her adolescent years, as well as the trauma and recovery that accompany them.
Showtimes:
- Sunday, September 7 at 2:30 p.m.
- Monday, September 8 at 12:00 p.m.
- Sunday, September 14 at 12:05 p.m.
The Ugly [얼굴]
Train to Busan director Yeon Sang-ho is back at the festival with an adaptation of Yeon’s graphic novel The Ugly. His latest is a mystery-thriller that follows a talented blind painter who embarks on a search for answers about his mother’s past and death. At its core, the film follows our blind protagonist to explore what true beauty is, and for those familiar with Yeon’s work, expect a project that will challenge and thrill his audiences.
Showtimes:
- Tuesday, September 9 at 9:45 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 10 at 9:45 p.m.
- Saturday, September 13 at 9:15 a.m.
No Other Choice [어쩔수가없다]
After wowing audiences with Decision to Leave, Park Chan-wook returns to the fest with a dark comic satire that will have you gasping and laughing. Starring Korean royalty Lee Byung Hun and Son Yejin, No Other Choice follows a man who is suddenly unemployed and his family, who must face the immediate repercussions, one of which is losing their beloved house. Scheming, intrigue, and desperation saturate the feature, which is both an incisive take on the future of employment and family dynamics.
Showtimes:
- Monday, September 8 at 9:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 9 at 8:45 p.m.
- Thursday, September 11 at 11:30 a.m.
- Saturday, September 13 at 5:30 p.m.
Project Y [프로젝트 Y]
Project Y is perhaps the most exciting entry from South Korea, the reason being it’s co-leads Han So-hee and Jun jong-seo. The two actresses are amongst the highest profile actresses working today and the two coming together in crime thriller makes it a no-brainer to check out both at the festival and in theatres upon its release. Lee Hwan is cooking up a fierce meal because the one-two punch of the stars paired with a story that has action, drama, revenge and surprise twists, Project Y can’t be anything other then great!
Showtimes:
- Wednesday, September 10 at 9:30 p.m.
- Thursday, September 11 at 3:45 p.m.
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