Sentimental Value Crosses 30,000 Viewers in Korea as Oscar Buzz Intensifies

Joachim Trier's critically acclaimed film "Sentimental Value" has crossed 30,000 admissions in South Korea just nine days after its theatrical release, solidifying its status as the most talked-about arthouse title of the year. The milestone was confirmed on February 26 by distributor Green Narae Media, as the Norwegian drama continues to draw enthusiastic audiences across the country.

A Cannes Winner Heading to the Oscars

"Sentimental Value" tells the story of a once-celebrated filmmaker father and his two daughters, who are brought back together through the process of making a movie. As they collaborate creatively, the fractured family confronts long-buried wounds and begins to understand one another in ways they never could before. The deeply personal narrative explores how art can serve as both a catalyst for pain and a vehicle for healing within fractured families.

The film first captivated international audiences at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, where it earned the prestigious Grand Jury Prize. It has since continued its remarkable awards-season sweep. At the 79th British Academy Film Awards held on February 22, "Sentimental Value" took home the award for Best Film Not in the English Language, making history as the first Norwegian film ever to win a BAFTA. Now, heading into the 98th Academy Awards, the film has secured an impressive nine nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and acting nods for all four of its principal cast members.

Star-Studded Cast Earns Universal Praise

Director Trier, who previously captivated Korean audiences with "The Worst Person in the World" as the final installment of his acclaimed Oslo Trilogy, reunites with his creative muse Renate Reinsve for this emotionally rich project. Joining them are Hollywood and European heavyweights Elle Fanning and Stellan Skarsgard, whose layered performances have earned them individual Academy Award nominations for their roles in this ensemble drama.

The film's reception among Korean moviegoers has been overwhelmingly positive. Having reached 20,000 viewers within just five days of its February 18 opening, "Sentimental Value" currently holds an extraordinary 97 percent Golden Egg score on CGV, the major Korean cinema chain's audience satisfaction index, along with a 4.0-star average on the review platform Watcha Pedia. Prominent film critic Lee Dong-jin awarded the film 4.5 out of 5 stars, the highest score he has given to any 2026 release, praising it as a work where "the things that ache as my own story seep through the closed doors of art."

A Korean Connection Behind the Scenes

Adding a notable Korean entertainment connection to this international production, actor Jung Il-woo has been revealed as an investor in the film. The star of KBS2 weekend drama "Glorious Days" previously invested in the body horror romance "Together" and has now expanded his portfolio by backing "Sentimental Value," marking his second foray into international film investment. His involvement highlights the growing trend of Korean entertainers engaging with global arthouse cinema as producers and investors, bridging the gap between domestic star power and international filmmaking.

For an independent arthouse film, surpassing 30,000 viewers in under ten days represents a remarkable achievement in the competitive Korean market, where major blockbusters typically dominate screen allocation. Industry observers note that the combination of Cannes prestige, BAFTA momentum, and exceptionally strong word-of-mouth is driving what could become one of the most successful specialty film runs in recent Korean box office history. With the Academy Awards ceremony fast approaching in March, "Sentimental Value" appears poised to attract even more attention from Korean cinephiles eager to experience a potential Best Picture winner on the big screen.