The Class Struggle of Love: A Glimpse into Lee Chang-dong’s “Possible Love”

Lee Chang-dong’s latest film, “Possible Love,” challenges our understanding of relationships in a society divided by class. Set against the backdrop of South Korea’s 2009 workers’ strike and a fictionalized account of a filmmaker’s project, the narrative raises more questions than it answers.

At its core, “Possible Love” is a film about the impossibility of love in a society torn apart by class divisions. Lee Chang-dong has long explored this theme, and his new film is the culmination of nearly two decades of development. The story follows Mi-ok, played by Jeon Do-yeon, as she navigates her husband’s layoff and the strike that followed. Her world intersects with that of Ye-ji, a filmmaker, and her detached husband Sang-woo, whose wealth and privilege set them apart from Mi-ok’s daily struggles.

The film’s central theme is not just class conflict, but also the ways in which we covet what others have. Lee Chang-dong has said he was inspired by the 10th commandment, “thou shalt not covet,” and its relevance to our capitalist society today. The tension between Ye-ji’s desire to document other people’s lives for her film and Mi-ok’s pull toward Sang-woo serves as a powerful metaphor for this impulse.

Jeon Do-yeon brings depth and nuance to the character of Mi-ok, making her both relatable and heartbreaking. Her anxiety and desperation are palpable, and her connection to Mi-ok’s story is deeply personal. In an interview, Jeon revealed that she saw herself in Mi-ok’s “ticking time bomb” heart, and her performance is all the more compelling for it.

The film’s supporting cast, including Sul Kyung-gu as Ho-seok, add depth and complexity to the narrative. Sul’s portrayal of Ho-seok’s silence conveys a sense of rage, guilt, and shame that is both heartbreaking and universal.

Lee Chang-dong’s direction is masterful, weaving together multiple storylines with ease. He creates a rich tapestry of characters and relationships that are both deeply human and universally relatable. His use of long takes and close-ups creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, drawing the viewer into the world of the film.

“Possible Love” is also a commentary on the state of Korean cinema today. Jeon Do-yeon noted in an interview that the project is significant for her at a time when commercial appeal has begun to crowd out character work in the industry. Lee Chang-dong’s commitment to telling stories that are both personal and universal is a refreshing respite from formulaic blockbusters.

As I watched “Possible Love,” I couldn’t help but think of the ways in which class struggle continues to shape our lives today. The film may be set in South Korea, but its themes are universal: the tension between those who have and those who do not, the impossibility of love in a society divided by class.

In a world where inequality is on the rise, “Possible Love” serves as a timely reminder that individual struggles are often tied to larger structural issues. Lee Chang-dong’s film urges us to think critically about the ways in which class struggle continues to shape our lives.

As I left the cinema, I felt a sense of unease. The world of “Possible Love” may be fictional, but its themes are all too real. And as I looked around at the world outside, I was struck by the ways in which Lee Chang-dong’s film had made me see it anew: as a place where love is possible, but only with great difficulty; where class struggle continues to shape our lives; and where the tension between those who have and those who do not remains an open wound.