Ryu Seung-ryong and Park Hae-joon film “Jeonggane” set for Dec 2 release
In short
Distributor Lotte Entertainment said the film “Jeonggane”, starring Ryu Seung-ryong and Park Hae-joon, will be released on Dec 2. It follows two brothers who have not exchanged a word in 30 years and join forces to protect a calf named Jangsu when a crisis hits their village. Yonhap reported the film is invited to the 31st Busan International Film Festival’s “Korean Cinema Today” section, where it is to be shown for the first time.
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Distributor Lotte Entertainment said on Oct 6 that the film “Jeonggane”, starring Ryu Seung-ryong and Park Hae-joon, will be released on Dec 2, Asia Economy and Yonhap reported. The Chosun Ilbo summary also carried the Dec 2 confirmation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The film tells the story of two brothers, Man-su and Byeong-su, who have not exchanged a word in 30 years and join forces to protect a calf named Jangsu when a crisis hits their village, the outlets reported. Ryu plays Man-su, who runs the “Jeonggane” ranch and is described by Asia Economy as gruff; Yonhap said the character is cold only toward his younger brother and is both serious and quirky. Park plays the prickly younger brother Byeong-su, who is sharp only with his elder brother. Ong Seong-wu plays Jeong-hun, a newly appointed veterinarian in Hwangsan County, and Jung Suk-yong and Lee Sang-hee also appear, Asia Economy reported. [ 1 , 2 ]
Kim Ji-hyun directed the film, Asia Economy and Yonhap reported. Yonhap said she wrote the drama “Romantic Anonymous” (2025) and directed the drama “Pongdang Pongdang Love” (2015), and that “Jeonggane” is her first feature film. Asia Economy said the film was produced by Yong Film together with Studio Nungil, while the Chosun Ilbo summary listed Yong Film as the producer and said the film was cranked up in 2021, making its release come five years later. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Yonhap reported that the film was invited to the “Korean Cinema Today” section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, which opens on Oct 6, and that it will be shown there for the first time. Asia Economy and the Chosun Ilbo summary did not mention the festival invitation. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The announcement puts a completed feature back into the Korean cinema calendar for December, roughly five years after filming according to the Chosun Ilbo summary. A slot at the Busan International Film Festival gives the film an early public screening ahead of that release. Outside the Korean film market the announcement has limited immediate consequence.
Key facts
- Lotte Entertainment said “Jeonggane” will be released on Dec 2. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The film stars Ryu Seung-ryong as the elder brother Man-su and Park Hae-joon as his younger brother Byeong-su. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The story centres on two brothers who have not exchanged a word in 30 years and unite to protect a calf named Jangsu when a crisis hits their village. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Ong Seong-wu plays Jeong-hun, a newly appointed veterinarian in Hwangsan County. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Kim Ji-hyun, who directed the drama “Pongdang Pongdang Love”, directed the film. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Yonhap reported the film was invited to the 31st Busan International Film Festival’s “Korean Cinema Today” section. [ 2 ]
- The Chosun Ilbo summary said the film was cranked up in 2021 and is being released five years later. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether “Jeonggane” was produced by Yong Film alone or together with Studio Nungil. Asia Economy names Yong Film and Studio Nungil as co-producers, while the Chosun Ilbo summary lists only Yong Film.
- The exact date and time of the film’s first screening at the Busan International Film Festival. Yonhap says only that the festival opens on Oct 6 and that the film is invited to a section there.
- The length of the gap between filming and release. Only the Chosun Ilbo summary states the film was cranked up in 2021 and is being released five years later; the other documents do not mention this.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Asia Economy reports the Dec 2 release date, the plot, the cast and the production companies. [ 1 ]
- Yonhap reports the confirmed release date, character descriptions and the Busan International Film Festival invitation. [ 2 ]
- The Chosun Ilbo summary reports the release confirmation and the five-year gap since filming. [ 3 ]
- The 31st Busan International Film Festival opens, with “Jeonggane” invited to the “Korean Cinema Today” section. [ 2 ]