19 Korean Films to Compete at the 2026 Oscars, Highlighting K-Culture’s Growing Global Influence

The Korean Film Council announced that 19 Korean films will be submitted for consideration in the International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards in 2026. This move demonstrates that Korean cinema continues to earn recognition for its global competitiveness following the success of “Parasite” and “Minari.” The films included in the submission list are “The View from My Seat,” “KAL,” “Spring Night,” as well as “Harbin,” “No Other Choice,” and “My Daughter Is a Zombie.” Among them, the locally produced film “The View from My Seat” topped the box office charts during the weekend of July 25–27, attracting 4.27358 million viewers and generating $4.35 million in revenue. In 2019, “Parasite” became the first Korean film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, with director Bong Joon-ho receiving the award for Best Director. This achievement proved that Korean films possess competitiveness on par with mainstream Hollywood productions. “Minari” also made it to the list of Best Picture nominees, and actress Yoon Yeo-jeong won the award for Best Supporting Actress. Meanwhile, the production of global content centered around K-POP is accelerating. Netflix’s animated series “KPop Demon Hunters” topped charts in over 40 countries worldwide, sparking enthusiastic responses from global audiences. The series’ original soundtrack rose to the top of global music charts, and singing along challenges using the soundtrack became popular on social media platforms. Hollywood is also paying attention to K-POP’s global influence. Paramount is collaborating with HYBE America, the parent company of BTS’s agency Big Hit Music, to develop new films based primarily on K-POP themes. Director Benson Lee cited “energy, passion, magic, and the massive community that supports it” as key elements of K-POP’s power. HYBE America’s CEO James Shin stated that the film’s message revolves around “K-POP’s dedication, artistic quality, and enduring popularity,” as well as “the universal theme of pursuing dreams despite any obstacles.” The global influence of South Korea’s entertainment industry has continued to grow since the 2000s. Artists’ passion, their dazzling and dynamic stage performances, and their highly addictive melodies and rhythms have dominated the global music market. The rigorous training processes that K-POP stars undergo to reach the global forefront also serve as storytelling material, further increasing interest among international audiences.