Actor Sol Kyung Gu has revealed the surprising reaction behind Possible Love's major achievement at the Venice International Film Festival, admitting that the film's team had hoped to win an even bigger award.
During an interview in Seoul on November 9, Sol Kyung Gu discussed the international recognition surrounding director Lee Chang Dong's Netflix film Possible Love, including its success at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.
The film received the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize, widely regarded as the festival's second-highest honor after the Golden Lion.
While winning such a prestigious award would normally be a reason for celebration, Sol Kyung Gu revealed that the atmosphere among the team was unexpectedly disappointing.
He shared, "After receiving the Grand Jury Prize, the atmosphere felt like a funeral. We had expected to win the Golden Lion, so it was really disappointing."
His remarks reflected the high expectations the team had for Possible Love, which marked Lee Chang Dong's return to filmmaking eight years after Burning.
Despite missing out on the festival's top award, the film has continued to receive international recognition.
Possible Love also earned the TIFF Ebert Director Award at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival and was selected as South Korea's official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards.
Speaking about the ongoing Oscar campaign, Sol Kyung Gu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to promote the film internationally.
He said, "I'm just following along. It's been a great experience. When would I ever get to experience something like this again?"
The actor added, "How many actors get to have this kind of experience?"
Although the film is representing South Korea in the international feature category, an Academy Award nomination has not yet been confirmed.
Sol Kyung Gu also spoke about reuniting with director Lee Chang Dong after working together on Peppermint Candy in 2000 and Oasis in 2002.
He described the director's approach to acting as something special, explaining that Lee Chang Dong focuses on helping actors experience their characters naturally rather than forcing performances.
Sol Kyung Gu recalled the director's advice, saying, "Just speak, feel, and don't act."
He described the approach as "Lee Chang Dong's magic," explaining that it helps guide his performance in ways that are difficult to put into words.
In Possible Love, Sol Kyung Gu portrays Choi Ho Seok, a worker who loses his job at an industrial company. The film follows two married couples whose lives become connected through a documentary project, exploring their different backgrounds, relationships, and hidden desires.
While the Venice result initially left the team wanting more, Sol Kyung Gu's latest comments show that he values the opportunity to take part in the film's international awards journey.
Meanwhile, Possible Love was released in selected theaters on September 23 and became available on Netflix on November 6.
