This year’s 28th Singapore International Film Festival features three Korean films in its lineup. Two new titles, Hong Sangsoo’s Claire’s Camera and KIM Dae-hwan’s The First Lap screens in the ‘Asian Vision’ section while HAN Hyeong-mo’s The Hand of Destiny (1954) is part of a classic retrospective sidebar.

One of the three Hong films released this year, Claire’s Camera is the auteur’s 20th film. Shot during the Cannes Film Festival last year, it was invited to screen on the Croisette this year in the ‘Special Screenings’ lineup. The film features KIM Min-hee as a sales agent fired during the festival who strikes up a friendship with Isabelle Huppert’s photographer. Also in Cannes from Hong was The Day After, while his On the Beach at Night Alone premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival. All three star KIM.

One of this year’s three Jeonju Cinema Projects premiered at the Jeonju International Film Festival, The First Lap features KIM Saebyuk (The Day After) and CHO Hyun-chul (Tunnel) as a couple who have stayed together for years without getting married. They face renewed pressure as they visit their respective parents. Director KIM’s previous film End of Winter (2016) premiered to great acclaim at the Busan and Berlin International Film Festivals, among many others.

Part of the ‘Classics: Secret Spies Never Die!’ program, The Hand of Destiny follows the forbidden love story between a North and South Korean agent. The film has the distinction of featuring Korea’s first ever on-screen kiss.

SGIFF takes place from November 23rd to December 3rd.