Director Yoon Ga-eun's latest feature film "The World of Love" has been officially selected for the competition section of Tokyo Filmex, one of Japan's most prestigious independent film festivals. This invitation marks another milestone in the film's impressive journey through the international festival circuit, where it has garnered significant recognition and multiple awards.

The film previously made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival before going on to achieve remarkable success at other major international venues. At the Pingyao International Film Festival, "The World of Love" earned both the Roberto Rossellini Jury Award and the Audience Award, demonstrating its appeal to both critics and general audiences. The film also received the prestigious Fipresci Prize at the Warsaw International Film Festival, further cementing its international acclaim.

"The World of Love" presents a compelling narrative centered on Lee Joo-in, an 18-year-old high school student portrayed by actress Seo Su-bin. While Joo-in appears charming and confident on the surface, she harbors a painful and complex history that shapes her worldview. The story takes a dramatic turn when a classmate initiates a petition protesting the return of a notorious child sex offender to their neighborhood.

As the petition circulates through the school, every student signs it without hesitation except for Joo-in, who becomes the sole holdout refusing to add her signature. This decision creates a tense confrontation with her peers and soon leads to her receiving mysterious anonymous notes. Through this challenging situation, the film explores profound social and emotional themes, ultimately arguing that true healing comes through acknowledgment and confronting pain rather than attempting to hide from it.

The Tokyo Filmex festival, which takes place annually in November, was established in 2000 under the initiative of Office Kitano, the production company founded by world-renowned filmmaker, actor, and comedian Takeshi Kitano. The festival has built a strong reputation for spotlighting Asian cinema that emphasizes diversity and innovative storytelling. Over the years, it has showcased works by highly acclaimed Korean directors including Lee Chang-dong, Park Chan-wook, and Hong Sang-soo.

At this year's Tokyo Filmex, "The World of Love" will compete against nine other internationally acclaimed films for several prestigious awards, including the Grand Prize, Special Jury Prize, Audience Award, and Student Jury Prize. Among its competition is "Left-Handed Girl," produced by Sean Baker, who recently gained widespread recognition for directing the award-winning film "Anora."

This marks Director Yoon Ga-eun's second appearance at Tokyo Filmex, following her previous success with "The World of Us" in 2016. That earlier film proved highly successful at the festival, winning both the Audience Award and receiving a Special Mention from the jury, establishing Yoon as a filmmaker of international significance.

Kamiya Naoki, the programming director of Tokyo Filmex, offered high praise for the film's artistic depth and emotional resonance. He described "The World of Love" as "an intense human drama that profoundly delves into the complex emotional world of its characters, delicately portraying how the adolescent girl Joo-in bravely steps forward as the master of her own story." Kamiya particularly commended Yoon's directorial approach, noting that she "avoids clichés and uses an observational style to capture emotions and create a deeply profound film."

Expanding its international reach beyond festival recognition, "The World of Love" has successfully secured distribution rights in Japan, ensuring broader access for Japanese audiences. Meanwhile, the film is currently playing in theaters across Korea, allowing domestic audiences to experience this critically acclaimed work on the big screen.