Lee Min-ho, Jung Hae-in, and More Will Judge Korea’s Biggest Short Film Festival

The Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival is returning with one of its most star-studded honorary judging lineups in recent years.

Festival organizers announced on May 19 that actors Jung Hae-in, Choi Sooyoung, Jo Jung-suk, Shim Eun-kyung, and Lee Min-ho will participate as honorary judges for the festival’s 22nd edition. The annual event remains Korea’s only major short film festival dedicated specifically to genre cinema and has long been viewed as an important launchpad for emerging directors and storytellers.

Choi Sooyoung, Jo Jung-suk, Shim Eun-kyung posing for a photo, each making a gesture with their hands near their faces. Choi Sooyoung on the left is smiling and pointing to ㅗher cheek, while Jo Jung-suk in the center has a neutral expression and a subtle hand gesture. , Shim Eun-kyung on the right is also smiling and making a similar hand gesture.
Choi Sooyoung, Jo Jung-suk, Shim Eun-kyung posing on the red carpet / News 1

Which Categories the Stars Will Judge

Each actor will join professional filmmakers within different genre sections of the competition.

Jung Hae-in will participate in judging the drama category “Please Teach Me About Cats” alongside directors Kim Do-young and Kim Hyung-joo.

Choi Sooyoung will judge the romance section “Jealousy Is My Strength” together with directors Oh Seung-wook and Lee Ok-seop.

Jo Jung-suk joins the comedy category “Conduct Zero,” while Shim Eun-kyung will participate in the horror section “Memento Mori” with directors Hwang Dong-hyuk and Hong Eui-jeong.

Meanwhile, Lee Min-ho will oversee the action category “Nowhere to Hide.”

Lee Minho wearing a brown leather jacket and black sweater poses with his hand raised, smiling at a camera, against a backdrop featuring Disney logos.
Lee Minho at the Made In Korea premiere / News 1

Why the Festival Matters in Korean Cinema

Founded in 2002, the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival has become one of the most influential spaces for discovering future Korean filmmakers.

Over the years, directors such as Na Hong-jin (The Wailing) and Kim Han-min (The Admiral: Roaring Currents) first gained industry attention through the festival.

Because of that legacy, the event is often treated as more than a simple film showcase. For many industry insiders, it functions as a preview of the next generation of Korean cinema.

Why Fans Are Suddenly Interested

The involvement of major Hallyu stars has already generated significant online attention, especially among international fans less familiar with Korea’s independent film scene.

The casting of actors like Lee Min-ho and Jung Hae-in as honorary judges reflects a broader shift happening in Korean entertainment, where top mainstream stars are increasingly participating in projects connected to artistic credibility and film culture rather than only commercial promotions.

That crossover also helps bring younger global audiences toward Korean short films and emerging directors who might otherwise remain outside mainstream attention.

Jung Hae-in with dark hair wearing a black striped shirt forming a heart shape with his hands, smiling at a promotional event.
Jung Hae-in making a heart / News 1

Korean Film Festivals Are Gaining Global Visibility

As Korean cinema continues expanding internationally through streaming platforms and global awards recognition, events like the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival are also receiving more attention from overseas audiences.

For many fans, the festival now represents something larger:
a place where the future faces of Korean storytelling are discovered before they become global names.

The 22nd Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival will take place from June 18 to June 23 at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul.