Jeon Do-yeon earns Oscar buzz for Netflix film Possible Love

Jeon Do-yeon has said an Oscar was never her goal, even as Hollywood awards writers discuss her chances of becoming the first South Korean nominated for Best Actress.

The 53-year-old actress was praised in a career profile published by The Hollywood Reporter on Friday (23.10.26), following the release of Lee Chang-dong's Netflix-backed drama Possible Love.

Asked about the growing awards speculation, Jeon said: "That has never been my goal."

Jeon began her career as a model before finding success in films including The Contact and The Housemaid, alongside television drama Crash Course in Romance.

She plays Mi-ok, whose husband Ho-seok has lost his job following a bitter industrial dispute.

Their circumstances change when Ye-ji, a wealthy documentary filmmaker, approaches them about recording the experiences of laid-off workers.

What begins as a connection between two women develops into a complicated relationship involving their husbands and the differences between their lives.

Actor Lee Byung-hun, who has worked with Jeon, told The Hollywood Reporter that her reputation in Korea had been firmly established long before the latest American attention.

He said: "I almost find myself wondering why it has taken the rest of the world so long to notice her."

Director Lee also acknowledged the difficulties faced by performers working in languages other than English when seeking Academy recognition.

He believes Jeon's ability to bring conflicting feelings to her character could connect with viewers regardless of language.

The film marks their first collaboration since Secret Sunshine, which earned Jeon the Best Actress prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007.

Possible Love won the Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival in September, marking Lee's return to feature filmmaking after 2018's Burning.

Netflix is campaigning for consideration in several Oscar categories, including Best Actress for Jeon and Best Actor for her co-star Sul Kyung-gu.

South Korea has also selected the film as its official submission for Best International Feature Film, although that does not guarantee an Oscar nomination.

The drama has received positive reviews in the US, with a 100 per cent critics' rating from 56 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes as of Monday (26.10.26).

It opened in selected cinemas in the US and UK on 23 October and is scheduled to stream globally on Netflix from 6 November.