From The Hunter with a Scalpel to S Line: Five K-Dramas make their mark at the 2025 Cannes International Series Festival

5 Korean Dramas that made it to Cannes International festival

The Cannes International Series Festival, which takes place from April 25 to April 30, 2025, has awarded five outstanding Korean dramas a distinguished spot. With the chosen titles showcasing a wide range of genres and creative storytelling, this outstanding accomplishment highlights the K-dramas' expanding global influence.

Now in its eighth year, the K-Drama Special Screening Festival keeps bringing attention to the changing cultural influence of South Korean television on a global scale.

S Line, a compelling fantasy thriller written and directed by Ahn Joo Young, is one of the most notable choices. The drama, which is based on the well-known webtoon of the same name, depicts a bizarre phenomenon where people's previous sexual relationships are revealed by red lines that appear above their heads. The world premiere of S Line, the only Korean drama selected for the festival's esteemed Feature Film Competition, will take place there. The fact that it hasn't found a domestic broadcaster yet only heightens the excitement for its premiere.

In addition to S Line, four other K-dramas have been selected for the non-competitive 'Rendezvous' section. These include This Intimate Traitor, a drama written by Han Ah Young and directed by Song Yeon Hwa; Children’s Ghost Story, written by Yoon Sun Hee and Park So Hee, and directed by Lim Kyung Taek; The Hunter with a Scalpel, a crime thriller written by Jo Han Young, Park Hyun Shin, Hong Yeon I, and Jin Se Hyeok, and directed by Lee Jung-hoon; and The Fairy’s Fasting Centre, written by Shin Kyeong I and directed by Jo Chang-geun.

Each of these dramas brings something unique to the table. Doubt, for instance, is a tense psychological exploration of betrayal and complex relationships, while Children’s Ghost Story blends horror and mystery, drawing inspiration from eerie children's songs.

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The Hunter with a Scalpel dives deep into the pursuit of a serial killer with a surgical obsession, offering dark, investigative drama. Meanwhile, The Fairy’s Fasting Centre presents a fantasy-driven narrative about a gifted individual striving to succeed in a highly unusual audition process.

These dramas will be showcased on April 30 at the Jean Mineur Auditorium as part of the 2025 Canneseries festival, further solidifying the cultural significance of K-dramas on the world stage.