New Korean Movie Night: Story Up Shorts in New York (October)

Co-Presented by the Korean Cultural Center New York & CJ Cultural Foundation

- Thursday, October 2nd, 2025 at 7:30 PM
  * There will be a Q&A session with the directors, followed by a screening. (Lee Ruri / NAM SUNA)

- Thursday, October 16nd, 2025 at 7:30 PM

Korean Cultural Center New York
(122 E 32nd Street, New York, NY 10016)

Ticket: FREE (RSVP REQUIRED)
 * RSVP and seating are first come, first served.
* Limited same-day standby tickets available.
* For an additional question, please contact to film@koreanculture.org

* All films featuring Korean dialogue will have English subtitles available.

RSVP will be open on September 11th at 12 PM(ET)

The Korean Cultural Center New York (KCCNY) and the CJ Cultural Foundation co-present a ‘Story Up Shorts in New York.’ This program aims to introduce the works of promising young Korean directors to New York, supporting their future advancement into the mainstream.

The event will showcase three outstanding short films that have achieved remarkable results at domestic and international film festivals, followed by a Q&A session with the directors.

The October section, “Bold Talk: Beyond Genre,” introduces three daring works that push the boundaries of short cinema. You Know, There Are Ghosts Under the Tree (소년유랑) blurs reality and memory with an unsettling yet poetic sensibility, while The Sea on the Day When the Magic Returns (마법이 돌아오는 날의 바다)—directed by HAN Jiwon, whose upcoming feature Lost in Starlight will premiere on Netflix—offers a lyrical animated meditation on imagination and wonder. Rounding out the program, The Daughter (유산)—screened at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival—delivers a gripping exploration of family, inheritance, and unspoken ties. Following the screenings, audiences are invited to a Q&A session with the directors.

This screening series follows the inaugural Story Up Shorts in New York held in 2024 and continues its mission of spotlighting new voices in Korean cinema. It offers audiences an opportunity to experience the remarkable talents and distinctive works of young Korean directors—artists who aspire to leave their mark on the global stage alongside masters like Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook.

For any inquiries, please contact the Korean Cultural Center New York at film@koreanculture.org.

◆ Programs Line-up
- Section: Bold Talk: Beyond Genre (대담한 대담: 장르 밖의 장르)

◆ You Know, There Are Ghosts Under The Tree 소년유랑 (2023)

  • Director: Lee Ruri (이루리)

  • 14m 12s

synopsis

It's a scorching summer. The girl and the boy cannot attend the festivities on the eve of the school festival. Then Kali says to the wandering children: "You know, where the festivities are taking place, as far as the shadow of the sacred tree reaches, young spirits are gathered under it.

◆ The Sea on the Day When the Magic Returns 마법이 돌아오는 날의 바다 (2022)

  • Director: Han Jiwon (한지원)

  • 24m 17s

synopsis

Sejin once had the power to have anything she wanted just by thinking about it. But now she has lost her magic. Perhaps it disappeared because she couldn’t think of what she wanted. Six hours before her interview to be a tourist interpreter, Sejin heads to the weary sea to save her father.

◆ The Daughter 유산 (2021)

  • Director: Nam Suna (남순아)

  • 20m 39s

synopsis

After taking care of her mother for a long time, Hyo-eun inherits her mother’s home after she passed away. She tries to escape her mother’s shadow by removing any trace of her in the house. But as she is doing so, she hears whispers of her mother’s voice and strange things begin to happen.

◆ CJ Cultural Foundation

Founded in 2006 by CJ Group, the CJ Cultural Foundation is dedicated to nurturing cultural diversity and empowering the next generation of creative talent. By providing support to young artists across diverse fields such as music, filmmaking, and musical theater, the Foundation actively enriches the Korean cultural landscape. The Foundations’ initiatives, which include TUNE UP, STORY UP, STAGE UP, and the CJ Music Scholarship program, offer valuable resources and opportunities to aspiring creators. 

The Foundation's mission is to foster a balanced and thriving creative ecosystem by discovering and empowering early-career artists across various disciplines. This comprehensive support system enables young creatives to cultivate their talents and confidently pursue their artistic dreams.

For more information, visit www.cjazit.org. Follow @cj.cultural.foundation on Instagram and @CJculture on Youtube.

 
upcomingTaehyun Hwang