Key Highlights
- Festival selection: Jeju Olle will have its North American premiere at the 27th Newport Beach Film Festival on October 21.
- Big screen: It screens in the festival's Korean Spotlight section at its largest auditorium.
- A first: Anushka Sen is the first Indian actor to lead a South Korean film.
- The pairing: She stars opposite Kang Hyung-seok, known for Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha.
- Three languages: The film is shot in Korean, Hindi and English.
Anushka Sen's Korea–India co-production Jeju Olle is heading to America. The film has been officially selected for the 27th Newport Beach Film Festival (NBFF), where it will have its North American premiere on October 21.
"Representing India in different parts of the world has always been a dream for me. Every time I get an opportunity to represent my country, it feels super special, and I feel extra grateful for it," Anushka said.
Premiere Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Festival | 27th Newport Beach Film Festival |
| Section | Korean Spotlight |
| Date | October 21 |
| Time | 7:30 PM |
| Venue | Screen 1, Regal Edwards Big Newport (festival's largest auditorium) |
The Story
Written and directed by Jin Kwang-kyo, Jeju Olle follows Alisha, an Indian star who steps away from the spotlight after a personal loss and travels to Jeju Island to fulfil a promise. There she meets Ha Sun-woo, a singer who has also retreated to the island after setbacks in his career. Over a week of exploring Jeju and sharing music, the two form a bond that helps them confront their pasts.
The film blends Korean romance with the musical spirit of India, exploring love, healing and new beginnings.
Why It Matters: A Historic First
Jeju Olle is more than a festival selection. Anushka Sen has become the first Indian actor to lead a South Korean film. It is also her first commercial film and her first acting project performed largely in English.
Her co-star, Kang Hyung-seok, is known for Korean dramas such as Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha and Pro Bono. For India's large and growing K-drama audience, the pairing is a rare cross-cultural collaboration.
Years of Building a Korea Connection
Anushka's Korean journey did not begin with this film. She was named an Honorary Ambassador for Korean tourism in 2023. Known to many Indian viewers from Baal Veer and Khatron Ke Khiladi 11, she is also one of India's most-followed Gen-Z stars, with close to 38 million Instagram followers.
"Very Close to My Heart"
"Jeju Olle is very close to my heart, so I'm super delighted that we're starting the film's journey with its North American Premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival in America," she said.
"It's incredibly exciting to see a film that brought together two cultures that now travel from India and Korea to North America," she added.
What Comes Next
After the festival, the producers plan releases across India, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The film is produced by Storyworks Co., Ltd. and Lucifer Production.
The Bottom Line
From a child actor on Indian television to leading a Korean film on a California screen, Anushka Sen's journey reflects how K-culture and Indian audiences are increasingly meeting in the middle.
With inputs from IANS.