Pregnant Kim Min-hee seen accompanying Hong to Berlinale

Hong Sang-soo is seen attending a press conference at a hotel in Berlin on Thursday, German time. (Yonhap)
Hong Sang-soo is seen attending a press conference at a hotel in Berlin on Thursday, German time. (Yonhap)

Renowned Korean filmmaker and Berlinale regular Hong Sang-soo fell short of winning the Golden Bear at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on Saturday.

Hong’s latest drama, "What Does That Nature Say to You," competed for the event's top honor. The film follows a young poet who takes his girlfriend to visit her parents, setting the stage for an intimate family encounter.

The Golden Bear was awarded to Dag Johan Haugerud for "Dreams (Sex Love)," the final installment in his "Sex Love Dreams" trilogy. The Norwegian film centers on the turmoil that ensues when a young woman’s writings about her crush on a teacher are discovered by her mother and grandmother.

This year’s Berlinale, taking place from Feb. 13 to Sunday, in Berlin, Germany, featured seven Korean films, including Bong Joon-ho’s sci-fi film "Mickey 17," invited for a Special Gala screening, and Min Kyu-dong’s "The Old Woman with the Knife," which premiered as part of the Berlinale Special program.

This year's edition marks Hong’s sixth invitation to the prestigious festival. Over the years, he has amassed four Berlinale awards: the Silver Bear for Best Director in 2020 ("The Woman Who Ran"), the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay in 2021 ("Introduction"), the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize in 2022 ("The Novelist’s Film"), and the same award in 2024 ("A Traveler’s Needs"). The Silver Bear marks the second-highest honor at the event.

Additionally, Hong’s 2017 film "On the Beach at Night Alone" earned lead actress Kim Min-hee the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the 67th Berlinale.

Kim, who has been in a relationship with Hong since 2017, has lived with Hong for nine years. In January, it was revealed that the couple was expecting their first child together. She was seen accompanying Hong to this year’s Berlinale.


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