Because I hate Korea (South Korea, 2023, 106′)

International title: Because I Hate Korea
Original title: Han-guk-i silh-eo-seo
Director, screenplay : Jang Kun-jae
Photography : Na Hui-seok
Editing: Lee Yeon-jung
Music: Gwon Hyunjung
Cast: Ko Ah-sung, Kim Woo-kyum, Joo Jong-hyuk, Oh Min-ae, Lee Sang-hee
Production: Youn Hee-young
Distribution: Showbox

Gye-na, approaching her thirties, has stable employment and a boyfriend, Ji-myoung. However, neither satisfies her, caught between unethical duties and family issues underlining the social divide, Gye-na faces constant uncertainty, confusion, and anxiety in a country that offers her no love. Tired of fighting against personal relationships and life challenges, even though everyone tried to dissuade her, Gye-na leaves everything behind her and runs to New Zealand. Finding the courage to begin anew, she makes new friends and a glimmer of happiness. Based on the novel of the same name by Chang Kang-myoung. 

Jang Kun-jae. Born in 1977, he graduated from the Korean Academy of Film Arts. After venturing himself in acting and photography direction, he became a director of a few short films. His long feature film debut arrived with Eighteen (2009), Nuovo Cinema Award winner at Pesaro Film Festival. With subsequent movies – especially A Midsummer’s Fantasia of 2015 – he gained international success and prestige. Because I Hate Korea was the entrance movie at Busan International Film Festival. 

Filmography: A Requiem (sf, 2000), Do Not Let Me in Fight (sf, 2003), Time in Heaven (sf, 2007), Eighteen (2009), Sleepless Night (2012), A Midsummer’s Fantasia (2014), Vestige (2020), Monstrous (tv series, 2022), Juhee from 5 to 7 (2022), Because I Hate Korea (2023), The Time of Younghwa (sf, doc., 2025).