Netflix will release Lee Chang-dong's first short film, 'Heartbeat', on November 2, 2026, according to Yonhap News. The 28-minute film follows a child named Cheol, whose mother suffers from depression and whose father is staging a sit-in on a tower crane.

What is 'Heartbeat' about?

Jeon Do-yeon plays Cheol's mother and Sul Kyung-gu plays his father. Kim Gun-woo plays Cheol. The story was developed from a project launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Beijing Modern Art Foundation (BCAF), which asked directors around the world to make films about depression.

Has it been shown before?

Yes. The film premiered at the 23rd Jeonju International Film Festival in 2022. It has never had a theatrical release in Korea.

How does it connect to 'Possible Love'?

Lee has long been drawn to the story of workers laid off by Ssangyong Motor, which led to both 'Heartbeat' and his feature 'Possible Love'. Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, and screenwriter Oh Jung-mi also worked on 'Possible Love', which won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival last month. It will be released on Netflix on November 6.

For international fans

Netflix is releasing Lee's entire filmography worldwide, from 'Green Fish' (1997) to 'Possible Love'. Fans who want to watch 'Heartbeat' first can do so on November 2 and then follow with 'Possible Love' four days later.