Park Chan-wook will lead the Cannes Film Festival jury, will be the 1st Korean in the role

Acclaimed Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook has been appointed president of the jury for the upcoming 79th Cannes Film Festival, organizers announced Thursday. This historic selection marks the first time a Korean director will lead the prestigious jury responsible for awarding the coveted Palme d’Or.

Chan-wook has established a significant presence at the French Riviera festival throughout his career. His breakout international success came when “Oldboy” claimed the Grand Prix (second prize) at Cannes in 2004. The director later secured the jury prize in 2009 for his vampire drama “Thirst” and was named best director in 2022 for his romantic thriller “Decision to Leave.”

“Park Chan-wook’s inventiveness, visual mastery, and penchant for capturing the multiple impulses of women and men with strange destinies have given contemporary cinema some truly memorable moments,” said festival president Iris Knobloch and director Thierry Frémaux in their joint statement. “We are delighted to celebrate his immense talent and, more broadly, the cinema of a country deeply engaged with the questioning of our time.”

The appointment continues a growing Korean influence at Cannes, coming just a few years after fellow Korean filmmaker Bong Joon Ho claimed the Palme d’Or in 2019 for “Parasite.” That film went on to make Oscar history as the first non-English language film to win Best Picture, elevating Korean cinema’s global recognition to unprecedented heights.

Chan-wook follows French acting legend Juliette Binoche, who served as jury president at the 2025 festival where Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident” took home the top prize. The selection of Chan-wook represents Cannes’ ongoing commitment to embracing diverse voices from global cinema.

Known for his visually striking and often provocative storytelling, Chan-wook has built an international reputation through films that blend genre elements with complex characterizations and social commentary. His “Vengeance Trilogy,” which includes “Oldboy,” established him as a master of stylized violence and moral ambiguity.

The director’s most recent work, “No Other Choice,” continues his exploration of dark themes through the story of an unemployed family man who takes extreme measures to eliminate his competition for a new job. The film, a biting satire on economic desperation and workplace competition, was selected as South Korea’s official submission for the Academy Awards but did not receive a nomination. Despite this Oscar oversight, “No Other Choice” earned critical acclaim, with The Associated Press naming it one of the best films of 2025.

Chan-wook’s appointment comes during a period of remarkable global success for Korean entertainment. Following the breakthrough achievements of films like “Parasite” and television series such as “Squid Game,” Korean cultural exports have become increasingly influential in the global entertainment landscape. This cultural phenomenon, often referred to as the “Korean Wave” or “Hallyu,” has transformed from a regional trend to a significant force in international entertainment.

The 79th Cannes Film Festival is scheduled to run from May 12 to 23, where Chan-wook will guide his jury through the selection of films competing for the festival’s top honors. Film enthusiasts and industry insiders will be watching closely to see how the director’s distinctive artistic sensibilities might influence the jury’s decisions.

As the film world prepares for this prestigious gathering on the French coast, Chan-wook’s appointment signals another significant step in Korean cinema’s journey from cult appreciation to mainstream recognition on the global stage.