Late-Blooming Father: Hong Sang-soo’s Striking New Appearance

Director Hong Sang-soo’s recent updates have once again drawn public attention. Last year, photos circulated online showing actress Kim Min-hee walking in a park while holding a newborn baby, and now, about 10 months later, Hong himself was photographed at the Berlin International Film Festival, keeping the buzz going.

Previously in April last year, images shared on online communities showed the two at Misa Lake Park in Hanam City, Gyeonggi Province. In the photos, Kim Min-hee was walking with a baby in her arms while Hong looked on smiling. The infant in the pictures was widely presumed to be the couple’s son, whose recent birth had been reported.

Hong and Kim first became close through the 2015 film Right Now, Wrong Then, and have maintained their relationship ever since. Although legally Hong remains married, they have been living in a de facto partnership, and their personal life continues to attract attention.

Now, about ten months after those earlier sightings, new images of Hong have been shared from an official context. On the 23rd, actress Song Sun-mi posted a photo on her social media showing Director Hong at the Berlin International Film Festival. In the image, Hong, sporting short white-gray hair and dressed in a black coat, is smiling brightly. His appearance has a more pronounced mature aura, yet he presents a relaxed and confident presence, showing that he continues his creative work.

Despite reduced public activity in Korea, Hong has steadily presented his films at international festivals, maintaining his presence in the global cinema scene. Kim Min-hee is also continuing her involvement alongside him, though more in a production role rather than as an actress, and their collaboration is drawing attention.

Online reactions to the recent news have been mixed, with comments such as “He continues to work steadily” and “Regardless of personal controversies, the films keep coming.” Many also remarked on how the combination of photos with their child and Hong’s silver hair made the passage of time and his new role as a “late-blooming father” feel tangible.

Meanwhile, Hong’s 34th feature film The Day She Returns was invited to the Panorama section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival and premiered there. The movie depicts a story of an actress returning to the craft after stepping back following marriage and divorce, starring Song Sun-mi, Jo Yoon-hee, Ha Sung-guk, and Shin Seok-ho. Also drawing attention is the fact that Kim Min-hee is participating in the film as the production manager.

The film is scheduled for release in Korea in the first half of the year.