Netflix Releases Lee Chang-dong's First Short Film Heartbeat Ahead of Possible Love

Netflix is bringing South Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong's first short film to a worldwide audience, with Heartbeat arriving on the streaming service on Monday 2 November 2026, four years after its original festival premiere.

The 28-minute drama follows a young boy whose concerns about his mother's depression lead him on a frantic journey home, exploring the fear and responsibility children can experience when someone close to them is struggling with their mental health.

Its release comes just four days before Lee's latest feature, Possible Love, premieres globally on Netflix, giving audiences an opportunity to explore two connected works from one of South Korea's most respected filmmakers.

What Happens in Heartbeat?

The story follows Cheol, played by Kim Geon-u, a young boy who knows his mother has been experiencing depression and becomes increasingly worried when she fails to answer his telephone calls.

Fearing that something may have happened to her, he sets out on a desperate journey home, overcoming obstacles while struggling with the uncertainty surrounding her wellbeing.

Jeon Do-yeon plays Cheol's mother, with Sul Kyung-gu providing the voice of his father. Rather than presenting depression through lengthy conversations or medical explanations, the film concentrates on Cheol's experience, showing how a parent's illness can affect a child who feels powerless to help.

The story also examines the emotional burden that can develop when young people begin to feel responsible for protecting the adults in their lives.

Why Was Heartbeat Created?

Heartbeat was originally produced following an initiative involving the World Health Organization and the Beijing Contemporary Art Foundation, with the filmmakers using a family relationship to explore the subject of depression.

The short premiered at the 23rd Jeonju International Film Festival in 2022, attracting attention as Lee's first venture into short filmmaking.

Known for acclaimed films including Burning, Secret Sunshine, Poetry and Oasis, Lee has frequently explored complex social and emotional subjects through intimate character-driven stories.

Heartbeat continues that approach while placing a child's perspective at the centre of its narrative, allowing viewers to experience his anxiety without knowing whether his worst fears will be realised.

How Is Heartbeat Connected to Possible Love?

Netflix has described Heartbeat as a story set within the world of Possible Love, rather than simply another film exploring similar subjects.

The two productions share an interest in depression, family relationships and the emotional consequences of difficult personal circumstances, providing an opportunity to examine recurring themes in Lee's work.

Possible Love, his first feature in eight years, has already received international recognition, winning the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the Venice International Film Festival.

Netflix has also made several of the director's earlier productions available internationally, including Green Fish, Peppermint Candy, Oasis, Secret Sunshine, Poetry and Burning.

Where Can You Watch Heartbeat?

Heartbeat arrives globally on Netflix on Monday 2 November 2026, with subtitles available in several languages, including English.

Possible Love follows on Friday 6 November, giving viewers access to both films during the same week.